Touch Display Panel and Touch Display Device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a touch display device and a touch sensing method and, more specifically, to a touch display device and a touch sensing method that provide a single-layered touch sensor structure by a touch electrode connecting line that electrically connects touch electrodes arranged in one direction and is arranged to bypass and surround touch electrodes arranged in another direction, thereby enabling a simple manufacturing process, a high manufacturing yield, and a low manufacturing cost.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Republic of Korea PatentApplication No. 10-2018-0039264, filed on Apr. 4, 2018, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of Technology

The present disclosure relates to a touch display panel and a touchdisplay device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A touch display device may provide a touch-based input function thatallows a user to easily input information or commands intuitively andconveniently, as well as a function of displaying videos or images.

In order to provide a touch-based input function, the touch displaydevice is required to recognize whether or not a user's touch isperformed and is required to sense touch coordinates accurately. To thisend, the touch display device includes a touch panel having a touchsensor structure.

The touch panel has a touch sensor structure including a plurality oftouch electrodes and a plurality of touch routing lines for connectingthe touch electrodes to a touch sensing circuit.

Since the touch panel has a touch sensor structure that is complicatedor requires a plurality of layers, the manufacturing process of thetouch panel may be complicated, the manufacturing yield of the touchpanel may be low, or the manufacturing cost may increase.

The touch panel has a plurality of touch pads electrically connected tothe touch sensing circuit. The number of touch channels or the number oftouch electrodes may be increased due to an increase in the size of thetouch panel or the like, thereby increasing the number of touch pads.The increase in the number of touch pads makes it difficult to designthe pad area.

SUMMARY

In view of the above background, it is an aspect of the embodiments ofthe present disclosure to provide a touch display panel and deviceincluding a touch sensor structure that enables a simple manufacturingprocess, a high manufacturing yield, and a low manufacturing cost, and atouch sensing method thereof.

It is another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide a touch display device having a single-layered touch sensorstructure and a touch sensing method thereof.

It is another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide a touch display device having a touch sensor structure capableof reducing the number of mask processes and a touch sensing methodthereof.

It is another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide a touch display device having a touch sensor structure capableof reducing the number of touch pads and a touch sensing method thereof.

It is another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide a touch display device and a touch sensing method capable ofpreventing deterioration of touch sensitivity even if there is adifference in the length between the signal transmission paths in atouch sensor structure.

It is another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide a touch display device and a touch sensing method capable ofmaintaining touch sensitivity uniformly even if there is a difference inthe pattern for connecting the touch electrodes in a touch sensorstructure.

According to one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure providesa touch display device including: a display panel having a plurality ofsubpixels arranged therein and having a plurality of touch electrodesarranged therein; and a touch sensing circuit configured to drive theplurality of touch electrodes.

In the touch display device, the plurality of touch electrodes mayconstitute m X-touch electrode lines and n Y-touch electrode linesarranged to intersect each other. The respective m X-touch electrodelines may include a plurality of X-touch electrodes, and the pluralityof X-touch electrodes may be electrically connected to each other byX-touch electrode connecting lines arranged between the adjacent X-touchelectrodes. The respective n Y-touch electrode lines may include aplurality of Y-touch electrodes, and the plurality of Y-touch electrodesmay be electrically connected to each other by Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines arranged to surround at least a part of the X-touchelectrode line.

In the touch display device, the area of the Y-touch electrode includedin a first Y-touch electrode line may be different from the area of theY-touch electrode included in a second Y-touch electrode line.

Alternatively, in the touch display device, the area of one of theplurality of X-touch electrodes included in the X-touch electrode linemay be different from the areas of the remaining X-touch electrodes.

According to another aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosureprovides a touch display panel including: a plurality of X-touchelectrodes; a plurality of Y-touch electrodes; a plurality of X-touchelectrode connecting lines configured to electrically connect two ormore X-touch electrodes arranged in the same X-line, among the pluralityof X-touch electrodes; and a plurality of Y-touch electrode connectinglines configured to electrically connect two or more Y-touch electrodesarranged in the same Y-line, among the plurality of Y-touch electrodes.

In the touch display panel, the X-touch electrode connecting line may bearranged between two adjacent X-touch electrodes, and the Y-touchelectrode connecting line may be arranged so as to surround at least apart of the adjacent X-touch electrodes and X-touch electrode connectinglines.

In addition, in the touch display panel, the plurality of X-touchelectrodes and the plurality of Y-touch electrodes may have at least oneof a structure in which two or more X-touch electrodes arranged in thesame X-line have different areas, respectively, and a structure in whichtwo or more Y-touch electrodes arranged in the same X-line havedifferent areas, respectively.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above,it is possible to provide a touch display device having a touch sensorstructure that enables a simple manufacturing process, a highmanufacturing yield, and a low manufacturing cost, and a touch sensingmethod thereof.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto provide a touch display device having a single-layered touch sensorstructure and a touch sensing method thereof.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto provide a touch display device having a touch sensor structurecapable of reducing the number of mask processes and a touch sensingmethod thereof.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto provide a touch display device having a touch sensor structurecapable of reducing the number of touch pads and a touch sensing methodthereof.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto provide a touch display device and a touch sensing method capable ofpreventing deterioration of touch sensitivity even if there is thedifference in the length between the signal transmission paths in atouch sensor structure.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto provide a touch display device and a touch sensing method capable ofmaintaining touch sensitivity uniformly even if there is a difference inthe pattern for connecting the touch electrodes to each other in a touchsensor structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the system configuration of a touchdisplay device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating a display panel of a touchdisplay device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a structure in which a touchpanel is embedded in a display panel according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views illustrating examples of the types of touchelectrodes arranged in a display panel according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of a mesh-type touch electrodeshown in FIG. 5 according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a touch sensor structure ina display panel according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example of implementing the touchsensor structure shown in FIG. 7 according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a display panel takenalong the line X-X′ in FIG. 8 according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views illustrating examples of a cross-sectionalstructure of a display panel including a color filter according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a process of implementing a multi-layeredtouch sensor structure on a display panel according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a process of implementing asingle-layered touch sensor structure on a display panel according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views illustrating a first example of asingle-layered touch sensor structure in a display panel according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are views illustrating a second example of asingle-layered touch sensor structure in a display panel according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are views illustrating a third example of asingle-layered touch sensor structure in a display panel according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating an example of capacitance generatedbetween touch electrodes in a display panel according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are views schematically illustrating a structure oftouch electrodes in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a displaypanel according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a first example of a structure of touchelectrodes in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a display panelaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating a second example of a structure of touchelectrodes in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a display panelaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating a third example of a structure of touchelectrodes in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a display panelaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a fourth example of a structure of touchelectrodes in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a display panelaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel having asingle-layered touch sensor structure according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a view illustrating additional patterns arranged in a blankarea in a display panel having a single-layered touch sensor structureaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 29 to 31 are views illustrating examples of a transparentelectrode arranged in a touch electrode area in a display panelaccording to the embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a view illustrating an example of a transparent electrodearranged in a non-active area in a display panel according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 33 and 34 are views for explaining a multi-frequency drivingmethod of a touch display device according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thedrawings, like reference numerals may be used to denote like elementsthroughout the drawings even if they are shown in different drawings. Inthe following description, a detailed and related description of knownconfigurations or functions, which may obscure the subject matter of thepresent disclosure, will be omitted.

In addition, terms, such as “first”, “second”, “A”, “B”, “(a)”, “(b)”,or the like, may be used to describe elements of the present disclosure.These terms are intended to distinguish a specific element from otherelements and are not intended to limit the nature, order, sequence, ornumber of the elements. The case where an element is described as being“coupled”, “combined”, or “connected” to another element must beconstrued as the case where another element is “interposed” between theelements or the elements is “coupled”, “combined”, or “connected” toeach other via another element, as well as the case where an element isdirectly coupled or connected to another element.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the system configuration of a touchdisplay device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a touch display device according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure may provide both a function for displaying animage and a function for touch sensing.

In order to provide an image display function, the touch display deviceaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a displaypanel (DISP) on which a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gatelines are arranged and on which a plurality of subpixels defined by theplurality of data lines and the plurality of gate lines are arranged, adata driving circuit (DDC) for driving the plurality of data lines, agate driving circuit (GDC) for driving the plurality of gate lines, anda display controller (DCTR) for controlling operations of the datadriving circuit (DDC) and the gate driving circuit (GDC).

Each of the data driving circuit (DDC), the gate driving circuit (GDC),and the display controller (DCTR) may be implemented as one or morediscrete components. In some cases, two or more of the data drivingcircuit (DDC), the gate driving circuit (GDC), and the displaycontroller (DCTR) may be integrated into one component. For example, thedata driving circuit (DDC) and the display controller (DCTR) may beimplemented as a single integrated circuit chip (IC Chip).

In order to provide a touch sensing function, the touch display deviceaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a touchpanel (TSP) including a plurality of touch electrodes and a touchsensing circuit (TSC) for supplying a touch driving signal to the touchpanel (TSP), detecting a touch sensing signal from the touch panel(TSP), and sensing whether or not a user's touch is performed or a touchposition (touch coordinates) on the touch panel (TSP) on the basis ofthe detected touch sensing signal.

The touch sensing circuit (TSC), for example, may include a touchdriving circuit (TDC) for supplying a touch driving signal to the touchpanel (TSP) and detecting a touch sensing signal from the touch panel(TSP) and a touch controller (TCTR) for sensing whether or not a user'stouch is performed and/or a touch position on the touch panel (TSP) onthe basis of the touch sensing signal detected by the touch drivingcircuit (TDC).

The touch driving circuit (TDC) may include a first circuit part forsupplying a touch driving signal to the touch panel (TSP) and a secondcircuit part for detecting a touch sensing signal from the touch panel(TSP).

The touch driving circuit (TDC) and the touch controller (TCTR) may beimplemented as separate components, or in some cases, may be integratedinto one component.

Each of the data driving circuit (DDC), the gate driving circuit (GDC),and the touch driving circuit (TDC) may be implemented as one or moreintegrated circuits and, in terms of electrical connection with thedisplay panel (DISP), may be implemented as a chip-on-glass (COG) type,a chip-on-film (COF) type, a tape carrier package (TCP) type, and thelike. The gate driving circuit (GDC) may also be implemented as agate-in-panel (GIP) type.

The respective circuit configurations (DDC, GDC, and DCTR) for drivingthe display and the respective circuit configurations (TDC and TCTR) fortouch sensing may be implemented as one or more discrete components. Insome cases, one or more of the circuit configurations (DDC, GDC, andDCTR) for driving the display and the circuit configurations (TDC andTCTR) for touch sensing may be functionally integrated into one or morecomponents. For example, the data driving circuit (DDC) and the touchdriving circuit (TDC) may be integrated into one or more integratedcircuit chips. In the case where the data driving circuit (DDC) and thetouch driving circuit (TDC) are integrated into two or more integratedcircuit chips, the two or more integrated circuit chips may have a datadriving function and a touch driving function, respectively.

The touch display device according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be various types of display devices such as an organiclight-emitting display device, a liquid crystal display device, or thelike. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, a descriptionwill be made of an example in which the touch display device is anorganic light-emitting display device. That is, although the displaypanel (DISP) may be various types of display panels, such as an organiclight-emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, or thelike, the following description will be made of an example in which thedisplay panel (DISP) is an organic light-emitting display panel for theconvenience of explanation.

As will be described later, the touch panel (TSP) may include aplurality of touch electrodes, to which a touch driving signal isapplied or from which a touch sensing signal is detected, and aplurality of touch routing lines for connecting the plurality of touchelectrodes to the touch driving circuit (TDC).

The touch panel (TSP) may be provided outside the display panel (DISP).That is, the touch panel (TSP) and the display panel (DISP) may beseparately manufactured and combined with each other. This touch panel(TSP) is referred to as an “external type” or “add-on type” touch panel.

Alternatively, the touch panel (TSP) may be embedded in the displaypanel (DISP). That is, a touch sensor structure, such as a plurality oftouch electrodes, a plurality of touch routing lines, and the like,constituting the touch panel (TSP) may be formed together withelectrodes and signal lines for driving the display in manufacturing thedisplay panel (DISP). Such a touch panel (TSP) is called an“embedded-type touch panel”. Hereinafter, for the convenience ofexplanation, the embedded-type touch panel (TSP) will be described as anexample.

FIG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating a display panel (DISP) of atouch display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display panel (DISP) may include an active area(AA) in which an image is displayed and a non-active area (NA) that isan outer area of an outer boundary line (BL) of the active area (AA).

In the active area (AA) of the display panel (DISP), a plurality ofsubpixels for displaying images are arranged and various electrodes andsignal lines for driving the display are arranged.

In addition, a plurality of touch electrodes for touch sensing and aplurality of touch routing lines electrically connected to the touchelectrodes may be arranged in the active area (AA) of the display panel(DISP). Accordingly, the active area (AA) may be referred to as a “touchsensing area” in which a touch is able to be sensed.

In the non-active area (NA) of the display panel (DISP), link lines,which are extensions of various signal lines arranged in the active area(AA), or link lines electrically connected to various signal linesarranged in the active area (AA) and pads electrically connected to thelink lines may be arranged. The pads arranged in the non-active area(NA) may be bonded or electrically connected to the display drivingcircuits (DDC, GDC, or the like).

In addition, in the non-active area (NA) of the display panel (DISP),link lines, which are extensions of a plurality of touch routing linesarranged in the active area (AA), or link lines electrically connectedto a plurality of touch routing lines arranged in the active area (AA)and pads electrically connected to the link lines may be arranged. Thepads arranged in the non-active area (NA) may be bonded or electricallyconnected to the touch driving circuit (TDC).

An extended portion of a part of the outermost touch electrode, amongthe plurality of touch electrodes arranged in the active area (AA), maybe in the non-active area (NA), and one or more touch electrodes of thesame material as the plurality of touch electrodes arranged in theactive area (AA) may be further arranged in the non-active area (NA).That is, the plurality of touch electrodes arranged in the display panel(DISP) may be provided in the active area (AA), some (e.g., theoutermost touch electrode) of the plurality of touch electrodes arrangedin the display panel (DISP) may be provided in the non-active area (NA),or some (e.g., the outermost touch electrode) of the plurality of touchelectrodes arranged in the display panel (DISP) may be provided over theactive area (AA) and the non-active area (NA).

Referring to FIG. 2, a display panel (DISP) of a touch display deviceaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a damarea (DA) where dams for preventing collapse of a specific layer (e.g.,an encapsulation portion in an organic light-emitting display panel) inthe active area (AA) are arranged.

The dam area (DA) may be positioned at the boundary between the activearea (AA) and the non-active area (NA) or at any place of the non-activearea (NA) outside the active area (AA).

The dam may be arranged in the dam area (DA) so as to surround theactive area (AA) in all directions, or may be arranged only in theoutside of one or more portions (e.g., a portion having a vulnerablelayer) of the active area (AA).

The dam arranged in the dam area (DA) may have a single pattern that iscontinuous as a whole, or may have two or more discontinuous patterns.Further, only a primary dam may be arranged in the dam area (DA), or twodams (a primary dam and a secondary dam) or three or more dams may bearranged in the dam area (DA).

Only a primary dam may be arranged in one direction and both a primarydam and a secondary dam may be arranged in another direction in the damarea (DA).

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a structure in which a touchpanel (TSP) is embedded in a display panel (DISP) according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of subpixels (SP) are arranged on asubstrate (SUB) in the active area (AA) of the display panel (DISP).

Each subpixel (SP) may include a light-emitting device (ED), a firsttransistor (T1) for driving the light-emitting device (ED), a secondtransistor (T2) for transmitting a data voltage (VDATA) to a first node(N1) of the first transistor (T1), and a storage capacitor (Cst) formaintaining a constant voltage for one frame.

The first transistor (T1) may include a first node (N1) to which a datavoltage may be applied, a second node (N2) electrically connected to thelight-emitting device (ED), and a third node (N3) to which a drivingvoltage (VDD) is applied from the driving voltage line (DVL). The firstnode (N1) may be a gate node, the second node (N2) may be a source nodeor a drain node, and the third node (N3) may be a drain node or a sourcenode. The first transistor (T1) is also referred to as a “drivingtransistor” for driving the light-emitting device (ED).

The light-emitting device (ED) may include a first electrode (e.g., ananode electrode), a light-emitting layer, and a second electrode (e.g.,a cathode electrode). The first electrode may be electrically connectedto the second node (N2) of the first transistor (T1) and the secondelectrode may be applied with a base voltage (VSS).

The light-emitting layer of the light-emitting device (ED) may be anorganic light-emitting layer containing an organic material. In thiscase, the light-emitting device (ED) may be an organic light-emittingdiode (OLED).

The second transistor (T2) may be controlled to be turned on and off bya scan signal (SCAN) applied through a gate line (GL), and may beelectrically connected between the first node (N1) of the firsttransistor (T1) and the data line (DL). The second transistor (T2) isalso referred to as a “switching transistor”.

If the second transistor (T2) is turned on by the scan signal (SCAN),the second transistor (T2) transfers a data voltage (VDATA) suppliedfrom the data line (DL) to the first node (N1) of the first transistor(T1).

The storage capacitor (Cst) may be electrically connected between thefirst node (N1) and the second node (N2) of the first transistor (T1).

Each subpixel (SP), as shown in FIG. 3, may have a 2T1C structureincluding two transistors (T1 and T2) and one capacitor (Cst), and mayfurther include one or more transistors, or may further include one ormore capacitors in some cases.

The storage capacitor (Cst) may be an external capacitor that isintentionally designed so as to be provided outside the first transistor(T1), instead of a parasitic capacitor (e.g., Cgs or Cgd) that is aninternal capacitor to be provided between the first node (N1) and thesecond node (N2) of the first transistor (T1).

Each of the first transistor (T1) and the second transistor (T2) may bean n-type transistor or a p-type transistor.

As described above, circuit devices, such as a light-emitting device(ED), two or more transistors (T1 and T2), and one or more capacitors(Cst), are arranged in the display panel (DISP). Since the circuitdevices (in particular, the light-emitting device ED) are vulnerable toexternal moisture or oxygen, an encapsulation portion (ENCAP) forpreventing external moisture or oxygen from penetrating into the circuitdevices (in particular, the light-emitting device ED) may be provided inthe display panel (DISP).

The encapsulation portion (ENCAP) may be formed as a single layer ormultiple layers.

For example, in the case where the encapsulation portion (ENCAP)includes multiple layers, the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) may includeone or more inorganic encapsulation portions and one or more organicencapsulation portions. Specifically, the encapsulation portion (ENCAP)may be configured to include a first inorganic encapsulation portion, anorganic encapsulation portion, and a second inorganic encapsulationportion. Here, the organic encapsulation portion may be positionedbetween the first inorganic encapsulation portion and the secondinorganic encapsulation portion.

The first inorganic encapsulation portion may be formed on the secondelectrode (e.g., a cathode electrode) so as to be closest to thelight-emitting device (ED). The first inorganic encapsulation portionmay be formed of an inorganic insulating material that enableslow-temperature deposition, such as silicon nitride (SiN_(x)), siliconoxide (SiO_(x)), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), orthe like. Accordingly, since the first inorganic encapsulation portionis deposited in a low-temperature atmosphere, the first inorganicencapsulation portion is able to prevent the light-emitting layer(organic light-emitting layer), which is vulnerable to ahigh-temperature atmosphere, from being damaged during the depositionprocess.

The organic encapsulation portion may have a smaller area than the firstinorganic encapsulation portion, and may be formed such that both endsof the first inorganic encapsulation portion are exposed. The organicencapsulation portion may serve as a buffer for relieving the stressbetween the respective layers due to warping of the touch displaydevice, and may enhance the planarization performance. The organicencapsulation portion may be formed of an organic insulating materialsuch as an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, polyimide, polyethylene,silicon oxycarbide (SiOC), or the like.

The second inorganic encapsulation portion may be formed on the organicencapsulation portion so as to cover the upper surface and the sidesurface of each of the organic encapsulation portion and the firstinorganic encapsulation portion. As a result, the second inorganicencapsulation portion is able to minimize or prevent external moistureor oxygen from penetrating into the first inorganic encapsulationportion and the organic encapsulation portion. The second inorganicencapsulation portion may be formed of an inorganic insulating materialsuch as silicon nitride (SiN_(x)), silicon oxide (SiO_(x)), siliconoxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), or the like.

The touch panel (TSP) may be formed on the encapsulation portion (ENCAP)in the touch display device according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

That is, a touch sensor structure, such as a plurality of touchelectrodes (TE) constituting the touch panel (TSP), may be arranged onthe encapsulation portion (ENCAP) in the touch display device.

When sensing a touch, a touch driving signal or a touch sensing signalmay be applied to the touch electrodes (TE). Therefore, when sensing atouch, a potential difference is generated between the touch electrode(TE) and the cathode electrode arranged with the encapsulation portion(ENCAP) interposed therebetween, thereby generating unnecessaryparasitic capacitance. In order to reduce the parasitic capacitance,which may degrade touch sensitivity, the distance between the touchelectrode (TE) and the cathode electrode may be designed to be equal toor greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 5 μm) in consideration ofthe panel thickness, panel-manufacturing processes, the displayperformance, and the like. To this end, the thickness of theencapsulation portion (ENCAP), for example, may be designed to be atleast 5 μm or more.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views illustrating examples of the types of touchelectrodes (TE) arranged in a display panel (DISP) according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 4, each touch electrode (TE) arranged in the displaypanel (DISP) may be a plate-type electrode metal having no openings. Inthis case, each touch electrode (TE) may be a transparent electrode.That is, each touch electrode (TE) may be made of a transparentelectrode material so that light emitted from a plurality of subpixels(SP) arranged below can pass through the touch electrode (TE) upwards.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, each touch electrode (TE) arranged inthe display panel (DISP) may be an electrode metal (EM) patterned in theform of a mesh to have two or more openings.

The electrode metal (EM) corresponds to a substantial touch electrode(TE) where a touch driving signal is applied or a touch sensing signalis detected.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the case where each touch electrode (TE) is anelectrode metal (EM) patterned in the form of a mesh, two or moreopenings (OA) may be provided in the area of the touch electrode (TE).

Each of the two or more openings (OA) provided in each touch electrode(TE) may correspond to the light-emitting area of one or more subpixels(SP). That is, a plurality of openings (OA) provide paths through whichlight emitted from a plurality of subpixels (SP) arranged below passes.Hereinafter, a description will be made of an example in which eachtouch electrode (TE) is a mesh-type electrode metal (EM) for theconvenience of explanation.

The electrode metal (EM) corresponding to each touch electrode (TE) maybe positioned on a bank that is arranged in the area other than thelight-emitting areas of two or more subpixels (SP).

As a method of forming a plurality of touch electrodes (TE), theelectrode metal (EM) may be formed to be wide in the form of a mesh, andthen the electrode metal (EM) is cut into a predetermined pattern toelectrically isolate the electrode metal (EM), thereby providing aplurality of touch electrodes (TE).

The outline of the touch electrode (TE) may have a square shape, such asa diamond shape or a rhombus, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, or may havevarious shapes such as a triangle, a pentagon, or a hexagon.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of a mesh-type touch electrode(TE) shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the area of each touch electrode (TE) may beprovided with one or more dummy metals (DM) that are separated from themesh-type electrode metal (EM).

The electrode metal (EM) corresponds to a substantial touch electrode(TE) where a touch driving signal is applied or a touch sensing signalis detected. However, although the dummy metal (DM) is provided in thearea of the touch electrode (TE), a touch driving signal is not appliedthereto and a touch sensing signal is not detected therefrom. That is,the dummy metal (DM) may be an electrically floating metal.

Therefore, the electrode metal (EM) may be electrically connected to thetouch driving circuit (TDC), whereas the dummy metal (DM) is notelectrically connected to the touch driving circuit (TDC).

One or more dummy metals (DM) may be provided in the areas of therespective touch electrodes (TE) while being disconnected from theelectrode metal (EM).

Alternatively, one or more dummy metals (DM) may be provided in theareas of some of the touch electrodes (TE) while being disconnected fromthe electrode metal (EM). That is, the dummy metal (DM) may not beprovided in the areas of some touch electrodes (TE).

With regard to the role of the dummy metal (DM), in the case where nodummy metal (DM) is provided and only the mesh-type electrode metal (EM)is provided in the area of the touch electrode (TE) as shown in FIG. 5,there may be a visible problem that the outline of the electrode metal(EM) may be viewed on the screen.

On the other hand, in the case where one or more dummy metals (DM) areprovided in the area of the touch electrode (TE) as shown in FIG. 6, itis possible to solve the visible problem that the outline of theelectrode metal (EM) may be viewed on the screen.

In addition, the magnitude of the capacitance for each touch electrode(TE) may be adjusted by providing or removing the dummy metals (DM) orby adjusting the number of dummy metals (DM) (the ratio of dummy metals)for each touch electrode (TE), thereby enhancing the touch sensitivity.

Some points of the electrode metal (EM) formed in the area of one touchelectrode (TE) may be cut away so that the cut electrode metal (EM)becomes the dummy metal (DM). That is, the electrode metal (EM) and thedummy metal (DM) may be formed of the same material in the same layer.

The touch display device according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure may sense a touch on the basis of the capacitance generatedin the touch electrode (TE).

The touch display device according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure is able to sense a touch by a capacitance-based touch sensingmethod such as a mutual-capacitance-based touch sensing method or aself-capacitance-based touch sensing method.

In the case of a mutual-capacitance-based touch sensing method, aplurality of touch electrodes (TE) may be divided into driving touchelectrodes (transmitting touch electrodes) to which a touch drivingsignal is applied and sensing touch electrodes (receiving touchelectrodes), in which a touch sensing signal is detected, formingcapacitance with the driving touch electrodes.

In the case of the mutual-capacitance-based touch sensing method, atouch sensing circuit (TSC) senses whether or not a touch is performedand/or touch coordinates on the basis of a change in the capacitance(mutual-capacitance) between the driving touch electrode and the sensingtouch electrode depending on whether or not there is a pointer such as afinger or a pen that is in contact with the touch panel TSP.

In the case of the self-capacitance-based touch sensing method, eachtouch electrode (TE) serves as both the driving touch electrode and thesensing touch electrode. That is, the touch sensing circuit (TSC)applies a touch driving signal to one or more touch electrodes (TE),detects a touch sensing signal through the touch electrodes (TE) appliedwith the touch driving signal, and recognizing a change in thecapacitance between a pointer, such as a finger or a pen, and the touchelectrode (TE) on the basis of the detected touch sensing signal,thereby sensing whether or not a touch is performed and/or touchcoordinates. The self-capacitance-based touch sensing method does notdistinguish between the driving touch electrode and the sensing touchelectrode.

As described above, the touch display device according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure may sense a touch using amutual-capacitance-based touch sensing method or using aself-capacitance-based touch sensing method. Hereinafter, for theconvenience of explanation, a description will be made of an example inwhich the touch display device performs mutual-capacitance-based touchsensing and has a touch sensor structure for the same.

FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a touch sensor structure ina display panel (DISP) according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, and FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example of implementingthe touch sensor structure in FIG. 7 according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, a touch sensor structure formutual-capacitance-based touch sensing may include a plurality ofX-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) and a plurality of Y-touch electrodelines (Y-TEL). The plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) and theplurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) are positioned on theencapsulation portion (ENCAP).

The respective X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) are arranged in a firstdirection, and the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) arearranged in a second direction different from the first direction.

In the present specification, the first direction and the seconddirection may be relatively different, and for example, the firstdirection may be the x-axis direction and the second direction may bethe y-axis direction. On the other hand, the first direction may be they-axis direction and the second direction may be the x-axis direction.In addition, the first direction and the second direction may, or maynot, be orthogonal to each other. In the present specification, rows andcolumns are relative, and may switch to each other depending onviewpoints.

Each of the plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) may include aplurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) electrically connected to eachother. Each of the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) mayinclude a plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) electrically connectedto each other.

The plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and the plurality of Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) are included in a plurality of touch electrodes (TE),and have different roles (functions) from each other.

For example, the plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) constitutingeach of the plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) may be drivingtouch electrodes, and the plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE)constituting each of the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL)may be sensing touch electrodes. In this case, the respective X-touchelectrode lines (X-TEL) correspond to driving touch electrode lines, andthe respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) correspond to sensingtouch electrode lines.

On the other hand, the plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE)constituting each of the plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL)may be sensing touch electrodes, and the plurality of Y-touch electrodes(Y-TE) constituting each of the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines(Y-TEL) may be driving touch electrodes. In this case, the respectiveX-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) correspond to sensing touch electrodelines, and the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) correspond todriving touch electrode lines.

The touch sensor metal for touch sensing may include a plurality oftouch routing lines (TL), as well as the plurality of X-touch electrodelines (X-TEL) and the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL).

The plurality of touch routing lines (TL) may include one or moreX-touch routing lines (X-TL) connected to the respective X-touchelectrode lines (X-TEL) and one or more Y-touch routing lines (Y-TL)connected to the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL).

Referring to FIG. 8, each of the plurality of X-touch electrode lines(X-TEL) may include a plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) arranged inthe same row (or column) and one or more X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL) for electrically connecting the plurality of X-touchelectrodes (X-TE) to each other. The X-touch electrode connecting line(X-CL) for connecting two adjacent X-touch electrodes (X-TE) may be ametal that is integral with two adjacent X-touch electrodes (X-TE) (seeFIG. 8), or may be a metal connected with two adjacent X-touchelectrodes (X-TE) through contact holes.

Each of the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may include aplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) arranged in the same column (orrow) and one or more Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) (e.g., abridge) for electrically connecting the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) toeach other. The Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL) for connectingtwo adjacent Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) may be a metal that is integralwith two adjacent Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE), or may be a metal connectedto two adjacent Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) through contact holes (seeFIG. 8).

The X-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL) and the Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL) may intersect in the area (a touch electrodeline intersection area) where the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL) and theY-touch electrode line (Y-TEL) intersect.

In the case where the X-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL) and theY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL) intersect in the touchelectrode line intersection area as described above, the X-touchelectrode connecting line (X-CL) and the Y-touch electrode connectingline (Y-CL) must be positioned in different layers from each other.

Accordingly, in order to arrange such that the plurality of X-touchelectrode lines (X-TEL) and the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines(Y-TEL) intersect each other, the plurality of X-touch electrodes(X-TE), the plurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL), theplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE), and the plurality of Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) may be provided in two or more layers.

Referring to FIG. 8, the respective X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) areelectrically connected to corresponding X-touch pads (X-TP) via one ormore X-touch routing lines (X-TL). That is, the outermost X-touchelectrode (X-TE), among the plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE)included in one X-touch electrode line (X-TEL), is electricallyconnected to the corresponding X-touch pad (X-TP) via the X-touchrouting line (X-TL).

The respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) are electricallyconnected to corresponding Y-touch pads (Y-TP) via one or more Y-touchrouting lines (Y-TL). That is, the outermost Y-touch electrode (Y-TE),among the plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) included in one Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL), is electrically connected to the correspondingY-touch pad (Y-TP) via the Y-touch routing line (Y-TL).

As shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) andthe plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may be arranged on theencapsulation portion (ENCAP). That is, the plurality of X-touchelectrodes (X-TE) and the plurality of X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL) constituting the plurality of X-touch electrode lines(X-TEL) may be arranged on the encapsulation portion (ENCAP). Theplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) and the plurality of Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) constituting the plurality of Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL) may be arranged on the encapsulation portion(ENCAP).

As shown in FIG. 8, the respective X-touch routing lines (X-TL)electrically connected to the plurality of X-touch electrode lines(X-TEL) may be arranged on the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) so as toextend to the area where the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) is notprovided, and may be electrically connected to a plurality of X-touchpads (X-TP). The respective Y-touch routing lines (Y-TL) electricallyconnected to the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may bearranged on the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) so as to extend to thearea where the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) is not provided, and may beelectrically connected to a plurality of Y-touch pads (Y-TP). Theencapsulation portion (ENCAP) may be provided in the active area (AA)and, in some cases, may extend to the non-active area (NA).

As described above, a dam area (DA) may be provided in the boundary areabetween the active area (AA) and the non-active area (NA) or in thenon-active area (NA) outside the active area (AA) in order to preventany layer (e.g., an encapsulation portion in the organic light-emittingdisplay panel) in the active area (AA) from collapsing.

As shown in FIG. 8, for example, a primary dam (DAM1) and a secondarydam (DAM2) may be arranged in the dam area (DA). The secondary dam(DAM2) may be positioned outside the primary dam (DAM1).

As alternatives to the example in FIG. 8, only the primary dam (DAM1)may be provided in the dam area (DA), and in some cases, one or moreadditional dams may be further arranged in the dam area (DA), as well asthe primary dam (DAM1) and the secondary dam (DAM2).

Referring to FIG. 8, the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) may be positionedon the side of the primary dam (DAM1), or the encapsulation portion(ENCAP) may be positioned on the top of the primary dam (DAM1), as wellas on the side thereof.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a display panel (DISP)taken along the line X-X′ in FIG. 8 according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Although a plate-type touch electrode (Y-TE) isillustrated in FIG. 9, this is merely an example, and a mesh-type touchelectrode may be provided.

A first transistor (T1), which is a driving transistor in each subpixel(SP) in the active area (AA), is arranged on a substrate (SUB).

The first transistor (T1) includes a first node electrode (NE1)corresponding to a gate electrode, a second node electrode (NE2)corresponding to a source electrode or a drain electrode, a third nodeelectrode (NE3) corresponding to a drain electrode or a sourceelectrode, a semiconductor layer (SEMI), and the like.

The first node electrode (NE1) and the semiconductor layer (SEMI) mayoverlap each other with a gate insulating film (GI) interposedtherebetween. The second node electrode (NE2) may be formed on aninsulating layer (INS) so as to come into contact with one end of thesemiconductor layer (SEMI), and the third node electrode (NE3) may beformed on the insulating layer (INS) so as to come into contact with theopposite end of the semiconductor layer (SEMI).

A light-emitting device (ED) may include a first electrode (E1)corresponding to an anode electrode (or a cathode electrode), alight-emitting layer (EL) formed on the first electrode (E1), and asecond electrode (E2), which corresponds to a cathode electrode (or ananode electrode), formed on the light-emitting layer (EL).

The first electrode (E1) is electrically connected to the second nodeelectrode (NE2) of the first transistor (T1), which is exposed through apixel contact hole passing through the planarization layer (PLN).

The light-emitting layer (EL) is formed on the first electrode (E1) inthe light-emitting area provided by banks (BANK). The light-emittinglayer (EL) is formed by stacking layers in the order of a hole-relatedlayer, a light-emitting layer, and an electron-related layer, or in thereverse order thereof, on the first electrode (E1). The second electrode(E2) is formed to face the first electrode (E1) with the light-emittinglayer (EL) interposed therebetween.

The encapsulation portion (ENCAP) prevents external moisture or oxygenfrom penetrating into the light-emitting device (ED), which isvulnerable to external moisture or oxygen.

The encapsulation portion (ENCAP) may be configured as a single layer,or may be configured as multiple layers (PAS1, PCL, and PAS2) as shownin FIG. 9.

For example, in the case where the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) isconfigured as multiple layers (PAS1, PCL, and PAS2), the encapsulationportion (ENCAP) may include one or more inorganic encapsulation layers(PAS1 and PAS2) and one or more organic encapsulation layers (PCL). Morespecifically, the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) may have a structure inwhich a first inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS1), an organicencapsulation layer (PCL), and a second inorganic encapsulation layer(PAS2) are sequentially stacked.

The encapsulation portion (ENCAP) may further include at least oneorganic encapsulation portion or at least one inorganic encapsulationportion.

The first inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS1) is formed on thesubstrate (SUB), on which the second electrode (E2) corresponding to acathode electrode is formed, so as to be closest to the light-emittingdevice (ED). The first inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS1) is formed ofan inorganic insulating material that enables low-temperaturedeposition, such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx),silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), or the like. Sincethe first inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS1) is deposited in alow-temperature atmosphere, the first inorganic encapsulation layer(PAS1) is able to prevent the light-emitting layer (EL), which isvulnerable to a high-temperature atmosphere, from being damaged duringthe deposition process.

The organic encapsulation layer (PCL) may be formed to have an areasmaller than that of the first inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS1). Inthis case, the organic encapsulation layer (PCL) may be formed to exposeboth ends of the first inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS1). The organicencapsulation layer (PCL) may serve as a buffer for relieving the stressbetween the respective layers due to warping of the touch displaydevice, which is an organic light-emitting display device, and mayenhance the planarization performance. The organic encapsulation layer(PCL) may be formed of an organic insulating material such as an acrylicresin, an epoxy resin, polyimide, polyethylene, silicon oxycarbide(SiOC), or the like.

In the case where the organic encapsulation layer (PCL) is formed by aninkjet method, one or more dams (DAM) may be formed in the dam area (DA)corresponding to the boundary area between the non-active area (NA) andthe active area (AA) or corresponding to some areas of the non-activearea (NA).

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the dam area (DA) is located between apad area where a plurality of X-touch pads (X-TP) and a plurality ofY-touch pads (Y-TP) are formed in the non-active area (NA) and theactive area (AA), and the dam area (DA) may be provided with a primarydam (DAM1) adjacent to the active area (AA) and a secondary dam (DAM2)adjacent to the pad area.

One or more dams (DAM) arranged in the dam area (DA) may prevent aliquid organic encapsulation layer (PCL) from collapsing (e.g.,extending) toward the non-active area (NA) and infiltrating into the padarea when the liquid organic encapsulation layer (PCL) is dropped intothe active area (AA).

This effect can be further increased in the case where the primary dam(DAM1) and the secondary dam (DAM2) are provided as shown in FIG. 9.

The primary dam (DAM1) and/or the secondary dam (DAM2) may be formed asa single-layered or a multi-layered structure. For example, the primarydam (DAM1) and/or the secondary dam (DAM2) may be formed of the samematerial as at least one of the banks (BANK) and spacers (not shown) atthe same time. In this case, the dam structure may be formed without anadditional mask process and an increase in the cost.

In addition, the primary dam (DAM1) and the secondary dam (DAM2) mayhave a structure in which the first inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS1)and/or the second inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS2) are stacked onthe banks (BANK) as shown in FIG. 9.

In addition, the organic encapsulation layer (PCL) containing theorganic material may be positioned only inside the primary dam (DAM1) asshown in FIG. 9.

Alternatively, the organic encapsulation layer (PCL) containing theorganic material may also be positioned on the top of at least theprimary dam (DAM1), among the primary dam (DAM1) and the secondary dam(DAM2).

The second inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS2) may be formed so as tocover the top surface and side surface of each of the organicencapsulation layer (PCL) and the first inorganic encapsulation layer(PAS1) on the substrate (SUB) on which the organic encapsulation layer(PCL) is formed. The second inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS2)minimizes or prevents external moisture or oxygen from penetrating intothe first inorganic encapsulation layer (PAS1) and the organicencapsulation layer (PCL). The second inorganic encapsulation layer(PAS2) is formed of an inorganic insulating material such as siliconnitride (SiN_(x)), silicon oxide (SiO_(x)), silicon oxynitride (SiON),aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), or the like.

A touch buffer film (T-BUF) may be arranged on the encapsulation portion(ENCAP). The touch buffer film (T-BUF) may be provided between the touchsensor metal including X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and Y-touch electrodes(Y-TE) and X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL) and Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) and the second electrode (E2) of thelight-emitting device (ED).

The touch buffer film (T-BUF) may be designed to maintain the distancebetween the touch sensor metal and the second electrode (E2) of thelight-emitting device (ED) at a predetermined minimum separationdistance (e.g., 5 μm). Accordingly, it is possible to reduce or preventthe parasitic capacitance generated between the touch sensor metal andthe second electrode (E2) of the light-emitting device (ED), therebypreventing deterioration of touch sensitivity due to the parasiticcapacitance.

A touch sensor metal including the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) and the X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL) andY-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) may be arranged on theencapsulation portion (ENCAP) without the touch buffer film (T-BUF).

In addition, the touch buffer film (T-BUF) may prevent chemicalsolutions (developer, etchant, or the like) used in the manufacturingprocess of the touch sensor metal arranged on the touch buffer film(T-BUF) or external moisture from penetrating into the light-emittinglayer (EL) including organic materials. Accordingly, the touch bufferfilm (T-BUF) is able to prevent damage to the light-emitting layer (EL),which is vulnerable to chemical solutions or moisture.

The touch buffer film (T-BUF) is formed of an organic insulatingmaterial, which is able to be formed at a low temperature of less than apredetermined temperature (e.g., 100 degrees C.) and has a lowpermittivity of 1 to 3, in order to prevent damage to the light-emittinglayer (EL) including an organic material that is vulnerable to hightemperature. For example, the touch buffer film (T-BUF) may be formed ofan acrylic-based, epoxy-based, or siloxane-based material. The touchbuffer film (T-BUF) made of an organic insulating material to have aplanarization property may prevent damage to the respectiveencapsulation layers (PAS1, PCL, and PAS2) in the encapsulation portion(ENCAP) and the breakage of the touch sensor metal formed on the touchbuffer film (T-BUF) due to warping of the organic light-emitting displaydevice.

According to a mutual-capacitance-based touch sensor structure, X-touchelectrode lines (X-TEL) and Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may bearranged so as to intersect each other on the touch buffer film (T-BUF).

The Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL) may include a plurality of Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) and a plurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL) for electrically connecting the plurality of Y-touch electrodes(Y-TE) to each other.

As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) and theplurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) may be providedin different layers with a touch insulating film (LD) interposedtherebetween.

The plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) may be spaced a predetermineddistance apart from each other in the y-axis direction. Each of theplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) may be electrically connected toanother Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) adjacent thereto in the y-axisdirection by means of the Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL).

The Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL) may be formed on the touchbuffer film (T-BUF) so as to be exposed through a touch contact holepassing through the touch insulating film (ILD), and may be electricallyconnected to two adjacent Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) in the y-axisdirection.

The Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL) may be arranged to overlapthe bank (BANK). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the apertureratio from being lowered due to the Y-touch electrode connecting line(Y-CL).

The X-touch electrode line (X-TEL) may include a plurality of X-touchelectrodes (X-TE) and a plurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL) for electrically connecting the plurality of X-touch electrodes(X-TE) to each other. The plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and theplurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL) may be providedin different layers with a touch insulating film (ILD) interposedtherebetween.

The plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) may be spaced a predetermineddistance apart from each other in the x-axis direction. Each of theplurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) may be electrically connected toanother X-touch electrode (X-TE) adjacent thereto in the x-axisdirection through the X-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL).

The X-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL) may be arranged on the sameplane as the X-touch electrodes (X-TE), and may be electricallyconnected to two X-touch electrodes (X-TE), which are adjacent to eachother in the x-axis direction, without separate contact holes, or may beformed integrally with two X-touch electrodes (X-TE), which are adjacentto each other in the x-axis direction.

The X-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL) may be arranged to overlapthe bank (BANK). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the apertureratio from being lowered due to the X-touch electrode connecting line(X-CL).

The Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL) may be electrically connected to atouch driving circuit (TDC) via the Y-touch routing line (Y-TL) and theY-touch pad (Y-TP). Similarly, the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL) may beelectrically connected to a touch driving circuit (TDC) via the X-touchrouting line (X-TL) and the X-touch pad (X-TP).

A pad cover electrode covering the X-touch pad (X-TP) and the Y-touchpad (Y-TP) may be further arranged.

The X-touch pad (X-TP) may be formed separately from the X-touch routingline (X-TL), or may be formed by extending the X-touch routing line(X-TL). The Y-touch pad (Y-TP) may be formed separately from the Y-touchrouting line (Y-TL), or may be formed by extending the Y-touch routingline (Y-TL).

In the case where the X-touch pad (X-TP) is formed by extending theX-touch routing line (X-TL) and the Y-touch pad (Y-TP) is formed byextending the Y-touch routing line (Y-TL), the X-touch pad (X-TP), theX-touch routing line (X-TL), the Y-touch pad (Y-TP), and Y-touch routingline (Y-TL) may be formed of the same first conductive material. Thefirst conductive material may be formed in a single-layered ormulti-layered structure using a metal, such as aluminum Al, titanium Ti,copper Cu, or molybdenum Mo, which exhibits high corrosion resistance,high acid resistance, and high conductivity.

For example, the X-touch pad (X-TP), the X-touch routing line (X-TL),the Y-touch pad (Y-TP), and Y-touch routing line (Y-TL) made of thefirst conductive material may be formed in a three-layered structuresuch as Ti/Al/Ti or Mo/Al/Mo.

The pad cover electrode capable of covering the X-touch pad (X-TP) andthe Y-touch pad (Y-TP) may be made of a second conductive material thatis the same as the X and Y-touch electrodes (X-TE and Y-TE). The secondconductive material may be a transparent conductive material, such asindium tin oxide ITO or indium zinc oxide IZO, which exhibits highcorrosion resistance and high acid resistance. The pad cover electrodemay be formed to be exposed by the touch buffer film (T-BUF), so thatthe pad cover electrode may be bonded to the touch driving circuit (TDC)or may be bonded to a circuit film on which the touch driving circuit(TDC) is mounted.

The touch buffer film (T-BUF) may be formed to cover the touch sensormetal, thereby preventing the touch sensor metal from being corroded byexternal moisture or the like. For example, the touch buffer film(T-BUF) may be formed of an organic insulating material, or may beformed in the form of a circular polarizer or a film of an epoxy oracrylic material. The touch buffer film (T-BUF) may not be provided onthe encapsulation portion (ENCAP). That is, the touch buffer film(T-BUF) may be optional.

The Y-touch routing line (Y-TL) may be electrically connected to theY-touch electrodes (Y-TE) through touch routing line contact holes, ormay be integral with the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE).

The Y-touch routing line (Y-TL) may be extended to the non-active area(NA), and may pass over the top surface and side surface of theencapsulation portion (ENCAP) and the top surface and side surface ofthe dam (DAM) so as to be electrically connected to the Y-touch pad(Y-TP). Accordingly, the Y-touch routing line (Y-TL) may be electricallyconnected to the touch driving circuit (TDC) via the Y-touch pad (Y-TP).

The Y-touch routing line (Y-TL) may transmit a touch sensing signal fromthe Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) to the touch driving circuit (TDC), or mayreceive a touch driving signal from the touch driving circuit (TDC) andmay transfer the same to the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE).

The X-touch routing line (X-TL) may be electrically connected to theX-touch electrodes (X-TE) through touch routing line contact holes, ormay be integral with the X-touch electrode (X-TE).

The X-touch routing line (X-TL) may be extended to the non-active area(NA), and may pass over the top surface and side surface of theencapsulation portion (ENCAP) and the top surface and side surface ofthe dam (DAM) so as to be electrically connected to the X-touch pad(X-TP). Accordingly, the X-touch routing line (X-TL) may be electricallyconnected to the touch driving circuit (TDC) via the X-touch pad (X-TP).

The X-touch routing line (X-TL) may receive a touch driving signal fromthe touch driving circuit (TDC), and may transfer the same to theX-touch electrode (X-TE), or may transmit a touch sensing signal fromthe X-touch electrode (X-TE) to the touch driving circuit (TDC).

The layout of the X-touch routing lines (X-TL) and Y-touch routing lines(Y-TL) may be variously modified depending on the panel design.

A touch protection film (PAC) may be arranged on the X-touch electrode(X-TE) and the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE). The touch protection film (PAC)may be extended to the front or back of the dam (DAM) so as to bearranged on the X-touch routing line (X-TL) and the Y-touch routing line(Y-TL).

The cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 shows a conceptual structure, andthus the positions, thicknesses, or widths of the respective patterns(respective layers or respective electrodes) may vary depending on theviewing directions or positions, connection structures of the respectivepatterns may vary, other layers may be further provided in addition tothe illustrated layers, or some of the illustrated layers may be omittedor integrated. For example, the width of the bank (BANK) may be smallerthan that illustrated in the drawing, and the height of the dam (DAM)may be less or greater than that illustrated in the drawing.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views illustrating examples of a cross-sectionalstructure of a display panel (DISP) including a color filter (CF)according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in the case where the touch panel (TSP) isembedded in the display panel (DISP) and the display panel (DISP) isimplemented as an organic light-emitting display panel, the touch panel(TSP) may be positioned on the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) in thedisplay panel (DISP). In other words, the touch sensor metal, such as aplurality of touch electrodes (TE), a plurality of touch routing lines(TL), and the like, may be positioned on the encapsulation portion(ENCAP) in the display panel (DISP).

As described above, since the touch electrodes (TE) are provided on theencapsulation portion (ENCAP), it is possible to form the touchelectrodes (TE) without significantly affecting the display performanceand display-related layer formation.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a second electrode (E2), which may be acathode electrode of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), may beprovided under the encapsulation portion (ENCAP).

The thickness (T) of the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) may be, forexample, 5 micrometers or more.

As described above, it is possible to reduce the parasitic capacitancegenerated between the second electrode (E2) of the organiclight-emitting diode (OLED) and the touch electrode (TE) by designingthe encapsulation portion (ENCAP) to have a thickness of 5 micrometersor more. Thus, it is possible to prevent deterioration in the touchsensitivity due to the parasitic capacitance.

As described above, each of the plurality of touch electrodes (TE) ispatterned in the form of a mesh in which the electrode metal (EM) hastwo or more openings (OA), and each of the two or more openings (OA) maycorrespond to one or more subpixels or the light-emitting area thereofin the vertical direction.

As described above, the electrode metal (EM) of the touch electrode (TE)is patterned such that the light-emitting area of one or more subpixelsis positioned to correspond to the position of each of two or moreopenings (OA) provided in the area of the touch electrode (TE) on theplan view, thereby increasing the luminous efficiency of the displaypanel (DISP)

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a black matrix (BM) may be arranged on thedisplay panel (DISP), and a color filter (CF) may be further arrangedthereon.

The position of the black matrix (BM) may correspond to the position ofthe electrode metal (EM) of the touch electrode (TE).

The positions of a plurality of color filters (CF) correspond to thepositions of a plurality of touch electrodes (TE) or the electrodemetals (EM) constituting the plurality of touch electrodes (TE).

As described above, since the plurality of color filters (CF) areprovided at the positions corresponding to the positions of a pluralityof openings (OA), it is possible to improve the luminous performance ofthe display panel (DISP).

A vertical positional relationship between the plurality of colorfilters (CF) and the plurality of touch electrodes (TE) will bedescribed as follows.

As shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of color filters (CF) and blackmatrixes (BM) may be provided on the plurality of touch electrodes (TE).

In this case, the plurality of color filters (CF) and black matrixes(BM) may be positioned on an overcoat layer (OC) arranged on theplurality of touch electrodes (TE). The overcoat layer (OC) may, or maynot, be the same layer as the touch protection film (PAC) shown in FIG.9.

As shown in FIG. 11, the plurality of color filters (CF) and blackmatrixes (BM) may be provided under the plurality of touch electrodes(TE).

In this case, the plurality of touch electrodes (TE) may be positionedon the overcoat layer (OC) on the plurality of color filters (CF) andblack matrixes (BM). The overcoat layer (OC) may, or may not, be thesame layer as the touch buffer film (T-BUF) or the touch insulating film(LD) in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a process of implementing a multi-layeredtouch sensor structure on a display panel (DISP) according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, a touch sensor structure embedded in a displaypanel (DISP) according to embodiments of the present disclosure mayinclude a plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) and a pluralityof Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL), and may further include a pluralityof X-touch routing lines (X-TL) electrically connected to the pluralityof X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) and a plurality of Y-touch routinglines (Y-TL) electrically connected to the plurality of Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL).

Each of the plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) may be adriving touch electrode line or a sensing touch electrode line, and mayinclude a plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and a plurality ofX-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL) corresponding to bridgesconnecting the plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) to each other.Each of the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may be asensing touch electrode line or a driving touch electrode line, and mayinclude a plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) and a plurality ofY-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) corresponding to bridgesconnecting the plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) to each other.

The plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE), the plurality of X-touchelectrode connecting lines (X-CL), the plurality of Y-touch electrodes(Y-TE), the plurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL), theplurality of X-touch routing lines (X-TL), and the plurality of Y-touchrouting lines (Y-TL) constituting a touch sensor structure areconfigured as a touch sensor metal.

The touch sensor metal constituting the touch sensor structure mayinclude a first touch sensor metal (TSM1) and a second touch sensormetal (TSM2), which are formed in different layers in terms of theformation position.

The first touch sensor metal (TSM1) may constitute a plurality ofX-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL) and/or a plurality of Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL).

The second touch sensor metal (TSM2) may constitute a plurality ofX-touch electrodes (X-TE) and a plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE).

Referring to FIG. 12, a touch buffer film (T-BUF) is formed to cover theencapsulation portion (ENCAP) covering the second electrode (E2) on thesubstrate (SUB).

Then, a first touch sensor metal (TSM1) may be formed through a firstmask process using a first mask (Mask #1). The first touch sensor metal(TSM1) may correspond to a plurality of X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL) and/or a plurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL).

Next, a touch insulating film (ILD) may be formed through a second maskprocess using a second mask (Mask #2). At this time, the touch bufferfilm (T-BUF) may be opened in the touch pad area.

Thereafter, a second touch sensor metal (TSM2) may be formed through athird mask process using a third mask (Mask #3). The second touch sensormetal (TSM2) may correspond to a plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE)and a plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE), and may also correspond toa plurality of X-touch routing lines (X-TL) and a plurality of Y-touchrouting lines (Y-TL).

In the third mask process, the second touch sensor metal (TSM2) may beformed up to the touch pad area, thereby constituting a plurality ofX-touch pads (X-TP) and a plurality of Y-touch pads (Y-TP).

In the touch pad area, a plurality of X-touch pads (X-TP) and aplurality of Y-touch pads (Y-TP) having a dual structure, in which ametal other than the second touch sensor metal (TSM2) {for example, ametal of the same material as the source-drain electrode formed in theactive area (AA)} is formed and the second touch sensor metal (TSM2) isformed thereon, may be formed.

After the third mask process, a touch protection film (PAC) forpassivation may be formed through a fourth mask process using a fourthmask (Mask #4).

One or more of the touch buffer film (T-BUF) and the touch protectivefilm (PAC) may be omitted according to the process method.

In the case where the touch sensor structure is formed as describedabove, the first touch sensor metal (TSM1), the touch insulating film(ILD), and the second touch sensor metal (TSM2) are required to beformed in a multi-layer on the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) or thetouch buffer film (T-BUF). Therefore, the multi-layered touch sensorstructure becomes thick and requires a large number of mask processes.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure can provide asingle-layered touch sensor structure that is able to reduce the numberof mask processes and enables a thin touch sensor structure.Hereinafter, a single-layered touch sensor structure according toembodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a process of implementing asingle-layered touch sensor structure on a display panel (DISP)according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Here, the same masknumbers as those in FIG. 12 are used for comparison with the processesin FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, a touch buffer film (T-BUF) is formed so as tocover the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) covering the second electrode(E2) on the substrate (SUB).

Then, a touch sensor metal (TSM) may be formed through a first maskprocess using a first mask (Mask #1).

The touch sensor metal (TSM) may correspond to a plurality of X-touchelectrodes (X-TE), a plurality of Y-touch electrode (Y-TE), a pluralityof X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL), and a plurality of Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL), and may also correspond to aplurality of X-touch routing lines (X-TL) and a plurality of Y-touchrouting lines (Y-TL).

In the first mask process, the touch buffer film (T-BUF) may be openedin the touch pad area.

Thereafter, a touch protection film (PAC) for passivation may be formedthrough a fourth mask process using a fourth mask (Mask #4) without asecond mask process and a third mask process.

At least one of the touch buffer film (T-BUF) and the touch protectivefilm (PAC) may be omitted according to the process method.

In the case of forming the touch sensor structure as described abovewith respect to FIG. 13, all touch sensor metals (TSM) including aplurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE), a plurality of Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE), a plurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL), a plurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL), aplurality of X-touch routing lines (X-TL), and a plurality of Y-touchrouting lines (Y-TL) may be formed as a single layer on theencapsulation portion (ENCAP) or the touch buffer film (T-BUF).Therefore, the single-layered touch sensor structure becomes thin and isable to significantly reduce the number of mask processes.

In general, a single-layered touch sensor structure is available foronly a self-capacitance-based touch sensing technology, and is notapplicable to a mutual-capacitance-based touch sensing technology.However, the single-layered touch sensor structure according to theembodiments of the present disclosure enables themutual-capacitance-based touch sensing. Therefore, it is possible tosimplify the process, to greatly improve the yield, to reduce themanufacturing cost, and to greatly reduce the number of pads bysignificantly reducing the number of mask processes.

In the following, various examples of a single-layered touch sensorstructure will be described.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views illustrating a first example of asingle-layered touch sensor structure in a display panel according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

A plurality of touch electrodes (TE) arranged in the display panel(DISP) may constitute m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6 inthe case of m=6) and n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6 inthe case of n=6), which are arranged to intersect each other. Here, m isan even number as a natural number of 2 or more, and n is an even numberor odd number as a natural number of 2 or more.

The m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6) and the n Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) are electrically separated fromeach other. In addition, the m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 toX-TEL-6) are electrically separated from each other, and the n Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) are electrically separated fromeach other.

Each of the m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6) may include aplurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) arranged in a first direction(e.g., X-axis direction or Y-axis direction), among a plurality of touchelectrodes, and a plurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL)for electrically connecting the plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE)to each other.

For example, the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) includes seven X-touchelectrodes (X11 to X17) and six X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL-1) connecting the same to each other. The X-touch electrode line(X-TEL-2) includes seven X-touch electrodes (X21 to X27) and six X-touchelectrode connecting lines (X-CL-2) connecting the same to each other.The X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-3) includes seven X-touch electrodes(X31 to X37) and six X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-3)connecting the same to each other. The X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-4)includes seven X-touch electrodes (X41 to X47) and six X-touch electrodeconnecting lines (X-CL-4) connecting the same to each other. The X-touchelectrode line (X-TEL-5) includes seven X-touch electrodes (X51 to X57)and six X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-5) connecting the sameto each other. The X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-6) includes sevenX-touch electrodes (X61 to X67) and six X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL-6) connecting the same to each other.

In addition, the m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6) have moutermost X-touch electrodes (X11, X21, X31, X41, X51, and X61). The moutermost X-touch electrodes (X11, X21, X31, X41, X51, and X61) may beelectrically connected to the X-touch routing lines (X-TL-1 to X-TL-6),respectively.

Each of the n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) may include aplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) arranged in a second direction(e.g., Y-axis direction or X-axis direction) different from the firstdirection (e.g., X-axis direction or Y-axis direction), among aplurality of touch electrodes, and a plurality of Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL) for electrically connecting the plurality ofY-touch electrodes (Y-TE) to each other.

For example, the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) includes seven Y-touchelectrodes (Y11 to Y71) and six Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL-1) connecting the same to each other. The Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-2) includes seven Y-touch electrodes (Y12 to Y72) and six Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL-2) connecting the same to each other.The Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-3) includes seven Y-touch electrodes(Y13 to Y73) and six Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-3)connecting the same to each other. The Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-4)includes seven Y-touch electrodes (Y14 to Y74) and six Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL-4) connecting the same to each other. The Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL-5) includes seven Y-touch electrodes (Y15 to Y75)and six Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-5) connecting the sameto each other. The Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-6) includes sevenY-touch electrodes (Y16 to Y76) and six Y-touch electrode connectinglines (Y-CL-6) connecting the same to each other.

In addition, the n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) have noutermost Y-touch electrodes (Y71, Y72, Y73, Y74, Y75, and Y76). The noutermost Y-touch electrodes (Y71, Y72, Y73, Y74, Y75, and Y76) may beelectrically connected to the Y-touch routing lines (Y-TL-1 to Y-TL-6),respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the X-touch electrode connecting line(X-CL-6) configured to electrically connect any two adjacent X-touchelectrodes (X61 and X62), among a plurality of X-touch electrodes (X61to X67) included in the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-6) arranged at theoutermost position on one side, among the m X-touch electrode lines(X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6), may be arranged so as to surround the whole or apart of one Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1).

The X-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL-5) configured toelectrically connect any two adjacent X-touch electrodes (X51 and X52),among a plurality of X-touch electrodes (X51 to X57) included in theX-touch electrode line (X-TEL-5) adjacent to the X-touch electrode line(X-TEL-6) arranged at the outermost position on one side, among the mX-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6), may be arranged so as tosurround a part of one Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1). The X-touchelectrode connecting line (X-CL-5) may be arranged so as to surround apart of the X-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL-6).

In addition, the X-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL-5) and theX-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL-6) are arranged so as tosurround the same Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1), wherein the portionof the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) surrounded by the X-touchelectrode connecting line (X-CL-5) is less than the portion of theY-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) surrounded by the X-touch electrodeconnecting line (X-CL-6).

The plurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-1 to X-CL-6)are arranged in the m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6) inthe manner described above so that n outermost Y-touch electrodes (Y11to Y16), which are not connected to the Y-touch routing lines (Y-TL-1 toY-TL-6) and are arranged at the outermost positions, are surrounded byall the X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-1 to X-CL-6) in the nY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6). There may be no X-touchelectrode connecting line that surrounds n Y-touch electrodes (Y71 toY76) connected to the Y-touch routing lines (Y-TL-1 to Y-TL-6) in the nY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6). In addition, n Y-touchelectrodes (Y61 to Y66) immediately adjacent to the n Y-touch electrodes(Y71 to Y76) connected to the Y-touch routing lines (Y-TL-1 to Y-TL-6)are surrounded by the least number of X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL-6) in the n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6).

Seven Y-touch electrodes (Y11 to Y71) constituting one Y-touch electrodeline (Y-TEL-1) are connected to each other by six Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL-1) arranged along short paths. That is, the sixY-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1) may be arranged along shortpaths (e.g., in a straight line), instead of bypassing and surroundingother patterns.

As described above, the respective X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL-1 to X-CL-6) are arranged in a bypass-connection structure inwhich the X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-1 to X-CL-6) surroundthe corresponding Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) providedtherebetween and take a long way around two X-touch electrodes, insteadof passing directly therebetween, whereas the plurality of Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6) are arranged in anon-bypass-connection structure to directly connect two Y-touchelectrodes.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are views illustrating a second example of asingle-layered touch sensor structure in a display panel (DISP)according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Contrary to FIGS. 14 and 15, a single-layered touch sensor structure inFIGS. 16 and 17 has a plurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6) arranged in a bypass-connection structure in whichthe respective Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6)surround the corresponding X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6)provided therebetween so as to take a long way around two Y-touchelectrodes, instead of passing directly therebetween, and a plurality ofX-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-1 to X-CL-6) arranged in anon-bypass-connection structure to directly connect two X-touchelectrodes.

For example, the Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1) configuredto electrically connect any two adjacent Y-touch electrodes (Y11 andY21), among a plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y11 to Y71) included inthe Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) arranged at the outermost positionon one side in the n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6), maybe arranged so as to surround the whole or a part of one X-touchelectrode line (X-TEL-1).

The Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-2) configured toelectrically connect any two adjacent Y-touch electrodes (Y12 and Y22),among a plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y12 to Y72) included in theY-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-2) adjacent to the Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-1) arranged at the outermost position on one side in the nY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6), may be arranged so as tosurround a part of one X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1). The Y-touchelectrode connecting line (Y-CL-2) may be arranged so as to surround apart of the Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1).

In addition, the Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-2) and theY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1) are arranged to surround thesame X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1), wherein the portion of theX-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) surrounded by the Y-touch electrodeconnecting line (Y-CL-2) is less than the portion of the X-touchelectrode line (X-TEL-1) surrounded by the Y-touch electrode connectingline (Y-CL-1).

Referring to FIG. 16, the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1 toY-CL-3) may be arranged along the paths corresponding to the outlines ofall or some of a plurality of first X-touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13,and X14) included in the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1)surrounded by the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-3).

Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the area where the touchelectrode connecting lines are arranged between the touch electrodes.

For example, seven X-touch electrodes (X11 to X17) constituting oneX-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) are connected to each other by sixX-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-1) arranged along short paths.That is, the six X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-1) may bearranged along short paths (e.g., straight lines), instead of bypassingand surrounding other patterns.

Referring to FIG. 16, the m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6)are electrically connected to a plurality of X-touch routing lines(X-TL-1 to X-TL-6). The n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6)are electrically connected to a plurality of Y-touch routing lines(Y-TL-1 to Y-TL-6).

As described above, the plurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL-1 to X-CL-6) may be designed in a bypass-connection structure asshown in FIGS. 14 and 15, or the plurality of Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6) may be designed in abypass-connection structure as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

For the convenience of explanation, the following description will bemade of an example in which a single-layered touch sensor structure isdesigned such that a plurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6) have a bypass-connection structure.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are views illustrating a third example of asingle-layered touch sensor structure in a display panel (DISP)according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Like the single-layered touch sensor structure in FIGS. 16 and 17, asingle-layered touch sensor structure in FIGS. 18 and 19 has a pluralityof Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6) arranged in abypass-connection structure in which the respective Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6) surround the corresponding X-touchelectrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-12) provided therebetween so as totake a long way around two Y-touch electrodes, instead of passingdirectly therebetween, and a plurality of X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL-1 to X-CL-12) arranged in a non-bypass-connection structureto directly connect two X-touch electrodes.

However, the single-layered touch sensor structure shown in FIGS. 18 and19 is different from the single-layered touch sensor structure shown inFIGS. 16 and 17 in that the touch sensing area is divided into a firstarea and a second area in a first direction in the display panel (DISP)so that m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-12) are divided andarranged in the first area and the second area, respectively. In thiscase, m may be an even number (m=12 in the example of FIG. 18).

More specifically, m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-12) mayinclude m/2 first X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6) and m/2second X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-7 to X-TEL-12) arranged in thefirst area and the second area, respectively, which are obtained bydividing the display panel (DISP) in the first direction.

The m/2 first X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6) arranged inthe first area may include a plurality of first X-touch electrodes (X11,X12, X13, X14, X21, X22, X23, X24, X31, X32, X33, X34, X41, X42, X43,X44, X51, X52, X53, X54, X61, X62, X63, and X64) arranged in the firstdirection, among all touch electrodes (TE) arranged in the display panel(DISP), and a plurality of first X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL-1 to X-CL-6) for electrically connecting the plurality of firstX-touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13, X14, X21, X22, X23, X24, X31, X32,X33, X34, X41, X42, X43, X44, X51, X52, X53, X54, X61, X62, X63, andX64) to each other.

The m/2 second X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-7 to X-TEL-12) arranged inthe second area may include a plurality of second X-touch electrodes(X15, X16, X17, X18, X25, X26, X27, X28, X35, X36, X37, X38, X45, X46,X47, X48, X55, X56, X57, X58, X65, X66, X67, and X68) arranged in thefirst direction, among all touch electrodes (TE) arranged in the displaypanel (DISP), and a plurality of second X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL-7 to X-CL-12) for electrically connecting the plurality ofsecond X-touch electrodes (X15, X16, X17, X18, X25, X26, X27, X28, X35,X36, X37, X38, X45, X46, X47, X48, X55, X56, X57, X58, X65, X66, X67,and X68) to each other.

The n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) may include aplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y11, Y21, Y31, Y41, Y51, Y61, Y71, Y12,Y22, Y32, Y42, Y52, Y62, Y72, Y13, Y23, Y33, Y43, Y53, Y63, Y73, Y14,Y24, Y34, Y44, Y54, Y64, Y74, Y15, Y25, Y35, Y45, Y55, Y65, Y75, Y16,Y26, Y36, Y46, Y56, Y66, and Y76) arranged in a second directiondifferent from the first direction and a plurality of Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6) for electrically connecting theplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y11, Y21, Y31, Y41, Y51, Y61, Y71, Y12,Y22, Y32, Y42, Y52, Y62, Y72, Y13, Y23, Y33, Y43, Y53, Y63, Y73, Y14,Y24, Y34, Y44, Y54, Y64, Y74, Y15, Y25, Y35, Y45, Y55, Y65, Y75, Y16,Y26, Y36, Y46, Y56, Y66, and Y76) to each other.

The n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) are divided into twoparts and arranged in the first area and the second area. That is, n/2Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL 3) of the n Y-touch electrodelines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) may be arranged in the first area, and theremaining n/2 Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-4 to Y-TEL-6) may bearranged in the second area.

A plurality of first X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-1 toX-CL-6) and a plurality of second X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL-7 to X-CL-12) included in the m/2 first X-touch electrode lines(X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6) arranged in the first area and the m/2 secondX-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-7 to X-TEL-12) arranged in the secondarea, respectively, have a non-bypass structure.

For example, each of a plurality of first X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL-1) included in the first X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1)arranged in the first area may directly connect two adjacent firstX-touch electrodes, among a plurality of first X-touch electrodes (X11to X14), instead of bypassing the same.

In addition, for example, each of a plurality of second X-touchelectrode connecting lines (X-CL-7) included in the second X-touchelectrode lines (X-TEL-7) arranged in the second area may directlyconnect two adjacent second X-touch electrodes, among a plurality ofsecond X-touch electrodes (X15 to X18), instead of bypassing the same.

On the other hand, a plurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6) included in the n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 toY-TEL-6) have a bypass-connection structure.

For example, the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1) forelectrically connecting a first Y-touch electrode (Y11) and a secondY-touch electrode (Y21), which are adjacent to each other, among aplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y11 to Y71) included in the Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL-1) arranged at the outermost position on one sidein the n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6), may be arrangedso as to surround the whole or a part of one first X-touch electrodeline (X-TEL-1).

As another example, the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-6) forelectrically connecting a third Y-touch electrode (Y16) and a fourthY-touch electrode (Y26), which are adjacent to each other, among aplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y16 to Y76) included in the Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL-6) arranged at the outermost position on theopposite side in the n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6), maybe arranged so as to surround the whole or a part of one second X-touchelectrode line (X-TEL-7).

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, under the two-separation area structure inwhich the m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-12) are dividedinto two parts and arranged in the first area and the second area, aplurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6) aredesigned in a bypass-connection structure, thereby relievingconcentration of a large number of Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6) between the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE).

In other words, according to the example of the non-two-separation areastructure shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the maximum number of Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) arranged between the X-touchelectrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) is 6, and accordingto the example of the two-separation area structure shown in FIGS. 18and 19, the maximum number of Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL)arranged between the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) is 3 (=6/2).

As described above, if the number of Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL) arranged between the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) is reduced according to the two-separation areastructure, the touch sensitivity based on the capacitance(mutual-capacitance) generated between the X-touch electrode (X-TE) andthe Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) can be improved.

In addition, if the number of Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL)arranged between the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) is reduced according to the two-separation areastructure, the gap between the X-touch electrode (X-TE) and the Y-touchelectrode (Y-TE) is not required to be increased, thereby increasing therespective areas of the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE). Therefore, the magnitude of the capacitance(mutual-capacitance) generated between the X-touch electrode (X-TE) andthe Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) can be increased, thereby improving thetouch sensitivity.

Referring to FIG. 18, the m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 toX-TEL-12) are electrically connected to a plurality of X-touch routinglines (X-TL-1 to X-TL-12). The n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 toY-TEL-6) are electrically connected to a plurality of Y-touch routinglines (Y-TL-1 to Y-TL-6).

The plurality of X-touch routing lines (X-TL-1 to X-TL-12) areelectrically connected to a plurality of X-touch pads (X-TP) arranged inthe non-active area (NA). The plurality of Y-touch routing lines (Y-TL-1to Y-TL-6) are electrically connected to a plurality of Y-touch pads(Y-TP) arranged in the non-active area (NA).

That is, the m outermost X-touch electrodes (X11, X21, X31, X41, X51,X61, X18, X28, X38, X48, X58, and X68) in the m X-touch electrode lines(X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-12) may be electrically connected to the m X-touchpads (X-TP) through the m X-touch routing lines (X-TL-1 to X-TL-6 andX-TL-7 to X-TL-12).

The n outermost Y-touch electrodes (Y71, Y72, Y73, Y74, Y75, and Y76) inthe n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) may be electricallyconnected to the n Y-touch pads (Y-TP) through the n Y-touch routinglines (Y-TL-1 to Y-TL-6).

The m X-touch routing lines (X-TL-1 to X-TL-12) may be connected to orextended from the m outermost X-touch electrodes (X11, X21, X31, X41,X51, X61, X18, X28, X38, X48, X58, and X68), and may pass over the sideof the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) and the top of at least one dam(DAM) to thus be electrically connected to the m X-touch pads (X-TP)provided in the non-active area (NA).

In addition, the n Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-6)may be connected to or extended from the n outermost Y-touch electrodes(Y71, Y72, Y73, Y74, Y75, and Y76), and may pass over the side of theencapsulation portion (ENCAP) and the top of at least one dam (DAM) tothus be electrically connected to the n Y-touch pads (Y-TP) provided inthe non-active area (NA).

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the first X-touch electrodes (X11, X21,X31, X41, X51, and X61) arranged at the outermost positions on one side,among a plurality of first X-touch electrodes included in the m/2 firstX-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6), may have an area smallerthan that of the first X-touch electrodes (X12, X13, X22, X23, X32, X33,X42, X43, X52, X53, X62, and X63), which are not arranged at theoutermost positions.

In addition, the second X-touch electrodes (X18, X28, X38, X48, X58, andX68) arranged at the outermost positions on the other side, among aplurality of second X-touch electrodes included in the m/2 secondX-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-7 to X-TEL-12), may have an area smallerthan that of the second X-touch electrodes (X16, X17, X26, X27, X36,X37, X46, X47, X56, X57, X66, and X67), which are not arranged at theoutermost positions.

For example, the area of the first X-touch electrodes (X11, X21, X31,X41, X51, and X61) arranged at the outermost positions on one side,among the plurality of first X-touch electrodes, may be half, or almosthalf (slightly greater or smaller than the half of), the area of thefirst X-touch electrodes (X12, X13, X22, X23, X32, X33, X42, X43, X52,X53, X62, and X63), which are not arranged at the outermost positions.

In addition, the area of the second X-touch electrodes (X18, X28, X38,X48, X58, and X68) arranged at the outermost positions on the otherside, among the plurality of second X-touch electrodes, may be half, oralmost half (slightly greater or smaller than the half of), the area ofthe second X-touch electrodes (X16, X17, X26, X27, X36, X37, X46, X47,X56, X57, X66, and X67), which are not arranged at the outermostpositions.

For example, the shape of the first X-touch electrode (X12, X13, X22,X23, X32, X33, X42, X43, X52, X53, X62, or X63), which is not arrangedat the outermost position, may be a square, such as a rhombus, or ahexagon, and the shape of the first X-touch electrode (X11, X21, X31,X41, X51, or X61) arranged at the outermost position may be a triangleobtained by symmetrically dividing a square, a square, a square obtainedby symmetrically dividing a hexagon, a pentagon, or the like. The firstX-touch electrode may be designed in various shapes, as well as theshapes described above.

In addition, for example, the shape of the second X-touch electrode(X16, X17, X26, X27, X36, X37, X46, X47, X56, X57, X66, or X67), whichis not arranged at the outermost positions, may be a square, such as arhombus, or a hexagon, and the shape of the second X-touch electrode(X18, X28, X38, X48, X58, or X68) arranged at the outermost position maybe a triangle obtained by symmetrically dividing a square, a square, asquare obtained by symmetrically dividing a hexagon, a pentagon, or thelike. The second X-touch electrodes may be designed in various shapes,as well as the shapes described above.

At least one Y-touch electrode (Y11, Y12, Y13, Y14, Y15, Y16, Y71, Y72,Y73, Y74, Y75, or Y76) arranged at the outermost position, among aplurality of Y-touch electrodes included in the n Y-touch electrodelines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6), may have an area smaller than that of theY-touch electrode (Y21, Y22, or the like), which is not arranged at theoutermost position.

For example, the area of the least one Y-touch electrode (Y11, Y12, Y13,Y14, Y15, Y16, Y71, Y72, Y73, Y74, Y75, or Y76) arranged at theoutermost position may be half, or almost half, the area of the Y-touchelectrode (Y21, Y22, or the like), which is not arranged at theoutermost position.

For example, the shape of the Y-touch electrode (Y21, Y22, or the like),which is not arranged at the outermost position, may be a square, suchas a rhombus, or a hexagon, and the shape of the Y-touch electrode (Y11,Y12, Y13, Y14, Y15, Y16, Y71, Y72, Y73, Y74, Y75, or Y76) arranged atthe outermost position may be a triangle obtained by symmetricallydividing a square, a square, a square obtained by symmetrically dividinga hexagon, a pentagon, or the like. The Y-touch electrodes may bedesigned in various shapes, as well as the shapes described above.

As described above, the touch display device according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure can facilitate the implementation of a touchsensor structure in the display panel (DISP) by arranging the X-touchelectrodes (X-TE), the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE), the X-touch electrodeconnecting lines (X-CL), and the Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL) in the same layer.

In this case, the touch electrodes and the touch electrode connectinglines are arranged in the same layer so that the X-touch electrodeconnecting lines (X-CL) or the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL)are arranged so as to bypass other touch electrode lines. In addition,the touch electrode connecting lines included in the respective touchelectrode lines may have different lengths and arrangements, which maycause the imbalance in the capacitance generated by the respective touchelectrode lines.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating an example of capacitance generatedbetween touch electrodes in a touch display device according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 schematically illustrates a single-layered touch sensorstructure in a display panel (DISP) according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure, and shows an example of capacitance generatedbetween one X-touch electrode line (X-TEL) and adjacent Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL).

A first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) includes a plurality of X-touchelectrodes (X-TE) and a plurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL). In addition, the respective X-touch electrodes (X-TE) may beelectrically connected to each other by the X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL) arranged between the X-touch electrodes (X-TE).

A first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) to a sixth Y-touch electrodeline (Y-TEL-6) include a plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) and aplurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL). In addition, aplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) included in the respectiveY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may be electrically connected to eachother by the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL), which arearranged to bypass the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1).

Since the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) are arranged tobypass the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1), the Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL) may be arranged to surround the whole or a partof the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1). In addition, since theY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL) is arranged to surround theX-touch electrode line (X-TEL), capacitance may be generated between theY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL) and the X-touch electrode line(X-TEL).

In this case, the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) included inthe Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may have different lengths andarrangements depending on the positions of the Y-touch electrode lines(Y-TEL). Thus, there may be a difference in the capacitance generatedbetween the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) and the X-touchelectrode line (X-TEL).

For example, since the first Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1)included in the first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) is the longest,the portion of the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) surrounded bythe first Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1) is greater than theportions of the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) surrounded byother Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL). On the other hand,since the sixth Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-6) included inthe sixth Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-6) is the shortest, the portionof the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) surrounded by the sixthY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-6) is smaller than the portionsof the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) surrounded by otherY-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL).

Therefore, the capacitance generated between the first Y-touch electrodeline (Y-TEL-1) and the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) is thelargest capacitance, and the capacitance generated between the sixthY-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-6) and the first X-touch electrode line(X-TEL-1) is the smallest capacitance.

The above difference in the capacitance between the Y-touch electrodelines (Y-TEL) may cause the imbalance in the capacitance in the touchsensor structure of the display panel (DISP), thereby degrading thetouch performance.

The touch display device according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure prevents the imbalance in the capacitance between the touchelectrode lines (TEL) and improve the touch performance by applying astructure of touch electrodes (TE) capable of compensating for thedifference in the capacitance between the touch electrode lines (TEL) ina single-layered touch sensor structure.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are views schematically illustrating structures of touchelectrodes (TE) in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a displaypanel (DISP) according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 21shows an example of compensating for the difference in the capacitanceby means of a structure of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE), and FIG. 22 showsan example of compensating for the difference in the capacitance bymeans of a structure of X-touch electrodes (X-TE).

Referring to FIG. 21, the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) included in thefirst X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) are electrically connected toeach other by the X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL) arrangedbetween the X-touch electrodes (X-TE), and the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE)included in the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) areelectrically connected to each other by the Y-touch electrode connectinglines (Y-CL) arranged to surround at least a part of the first X-touchelectrode line (X-TEL-1).

In addition, the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) included in the respectiveY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may have different areas. For example,the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) Y11 included in the first Y-touch electrodeline (Y-TEL-1) may have the smallest area, and the Y-touch electrode(Y-TE) Y16 included in the sixth Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-6) mayhave the largest area.

The area of the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) may indicate the area of theY-touch electrode (Y-TE) itself, or may indicate the area where theY-touch electrode (Y-TE) generates capacitance.

For example, in the case where the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) is atransparent electrode or an opaque mesh-type electrode, the area of theY-touch electrode (Y-TE) may be varied by adjusting the size of anopening area in the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE). Alternatively, the areawhere the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) generates capacitance may be variedby changing a ratio of dummy patterns arranged in the Y-touch electrode(Y-TE).

That is, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the area of theY-touch electrode (Y-TE) may be understood as encompassing the areawhere the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) generates capacitance, which isadjusted according to the size of an opening area or the ratio of dummypatterns.

As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure cancompensate for the difference in the capacitance generated by therespective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) by adjusting the areas of theY-touch electrodes (Y-TE) to be different from each other for eachY-touch electrode line (Y-TEL).

More specifically, the areas of the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) includedin the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may be configured tobe in inverse proportion to the lengths of the Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL).

That is, the longer the Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL)connected to the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE), the smaller the area of theY-touch electrode (Y-TE).

For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the first Y-touch electrode connectingline (Y-CL-1) included in the first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) maybe the longest, and the sixth Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-6)included in the sixth Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-6) may be theshortest.

In this case, the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) Y11 included in the firstY-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) may have the smallest area, and theY-touch electrode (Y-TE) Y16 included in the sixth Y-touch electrodeline (Y-TEL-6) may have the largest area. In addition, the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) Y12, Y13, Y14, and Y15 included in the remainingY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may have areas in inverse proportion tothe lengths of the respective Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL)connected thereto.

The capacitance generated by the first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1)may be reduced by relatively reducing the area of the Y-touch electrode(Y-TE) Y11 connected to the longest first Y-touch electrode connectingline (Y-CL-1). In addition, the capacitance generated by the secondY-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-2) may be similar to the capacitancegenerated by the first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) by increasingthe area of the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) Y12 connected to the secondY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-2), which is shorter than thefirst Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1), to be more than thearea of the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) Y11.

Likewise, it is possible to reduce the difference in the capacitancegenerated by the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) by adjustingthe areas of the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) to be in inverse proportionto the lengths of the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) includedin the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL).

In addition, the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) Y16 connected to the sixthY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-6) having the shortest lengthmay be configured to have the largest area, so that the capacitancegenerated by the sixth Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-6) is similar tothe capacitance generated by the first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1)or other Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL).

The Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) Y16 included in the sixth Y-touch electrodeline (Y-TEL-6) may be configured to have the largest area, the Y-touchelectrode (Y-TE) may have no opening area (in the case of a transparentelectrode), or no dummy pattern may be arranged in the Y-touch electrode(Y-TE) (in the case of an opaque mesh-type electrode). That is, in orderto compensate for the difference in the capacitance, the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) included in the respective Y-touch electrode lines(Y-TEL) may be arranged to have different areas such that the Y-touchelectrode (Y-TE) generating the smallest capacitance has the largestarea, thereby preventing deterioration of touch sensitivity.

The difference in the capacitance due to the difference of the Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) may be compensated for by varying theareas of the X-touch electrodes (X-TE), as well as by varying the areasof the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE).

Referring to FIG. 22, the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) included in thefirst X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) are electrically connected toeach other by the X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL) arrangedtherebetween. In addition, the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) included in therespective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) are electrically connected toeach other by the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) arranged tosurround at least a part of the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1).

Therefore, since the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) includedin the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) have different lengthsand arrangements, the capacitance generated between the respectiveY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) and the first X-touch electrode line(X-TEL-1) may be different from each other.

In order to compensate for the difference in the capacitance of theY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) described above, the X-touch electrodes(X-TE) included in the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) may havedifferent areas.

For example, the X-touch electrode (X-TE) X11 arranged adjacent to thefirst Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) generating the largestcapacitance, among the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL), may have thesmallest area. In addition, the X-touch electrode (X-TE) X16 arrangedadjacent to the sixth Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-6) generating thesmallest capacitance, among the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL), mayhave the largest area.

Likewise, as the capacitance generated by the adjacent Y-touch electrodelines (Y-TEL) increases, the areas of the remaining X-touch electrodes(X-TE) X12, X13, X14, and X15 may gradually become small.

This may mean that as the number of Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL) arranged adjacent to the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) is reduced,the area of the X-touch electrode (X-TE) becomes small.

The area of the X-touch electrode (X-TE), as described in the example inFIG. 21, may be adjusted by the size of the X-touch electrode (X-TE),the size of an opening area formed therein, or a ratio of dummy patternsarranged therein.

As described above, it is possible to reduce the capacitance generatedbetween the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL) and the X-touch electrode(X-TE) by reducing the area of the X-touch electrode (X-TE) as thecapacitance generated by the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL) arrangedadjacent to the X-touch electrode (X-TE) is relatively large. Therefore,it is possible to compensate for the difference in the capacitancebetween the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) due to the lengths andarrangements of the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL).

That is, in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a display panel(DISP) according to embodiments of the present disclosure, it ispossible to compensate for the difference in the capacitance between theY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) due to the lengths and arrangements ofthe Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) by adjusting the area ofthe Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) or the X-touch electrode (X-TE), therebyimproving the touch performance.

In addition, it is also possible to compensate for the difference in thecapacitance between the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) by adjusting thearea of both the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) and the X-touch electrode(X-TE).

Although FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate an example in which the Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) bypass the X-touch electrode line(X-TEL), the structure of the touch electrodes (TE) described above maybe applied to the structure in which the X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL) bypass the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL).

FIGS. 23 to 26 illustrate detailed examples of a structure of touchelectrodes (TE) in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a displaypanel (DISP) according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a first example of a structure of touchelectrodes (TE) in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a displaypanel (DISP) according to embodiments of the present disclosure, whereinthe areas of the touch electrodes (TE) have not been adjusted.

Referring to FIG. 23, a plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) anda plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may be arranged tointersect each other in the same layer in the display panel (DISP)according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Each of the plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) includes aplurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and a plurality of X-touchelectrode connecting lines (X-CL), and the plurality of X-touchelectrodes (X-TE) are electrically connected to each other by X-touchelectrode connecting lines (X-CL) arranged therebetween. That is, theX-touch electrodes (X-TE) included in the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL)may be connected to each other along a first direction (e.g., X-axisdirection or X-line).

Each of the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) includes aplurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) and a plurality of Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL). In addition, the plurality of Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) are electrically connected to each other by Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) arranged to surround at least a partof the X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL). That is, the Y-touch electrodes(Y-TE) included in the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL) may be connectedto each other along a second direction (e.g., Y-axis direction orY-line) intersecting the first direction.

Therefore, the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) may be arrangedin the area between the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE). In addition, since the portions of the X-touchelectrode line (X-TEL) surrounded by the Y-touch electrode connectinglines (Y-CL) included in the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL)are different from each other, there may be a blank area, where noY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL) is arranged, between theX-touch electrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE). The blankarea may have additional patterns (AP) arranged along the shape of atleast one of the X-touch electrode (X-TE), the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE),the X-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL), and the Y-touch electrodeconnecting line (Y-CL). The additional patterns (AP) will be describedlater with reference to FIG. 28.

The plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) and the plurality ofY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may be divided and arranged into a firstarea and a second area of the display panel (DISP). In addition, theX-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) and the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL)arranged in the first area may not be electrically connected to theX-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) and the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL)arranged in the second area.

Although FIG. 23 shows an example in which the X-touch electrode lines(X-TEL) arranged in the same X-line are divided and arranged into thefirst area and the second area, the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL)arranged in the same Y-line may be divided and arranged into the firstarea and the second area obtained by dividing the display panel (DISP).

In the single-layered touch sensor structure described above, theY-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) are arranged to surround atleast a part of the X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL), thereby generatingcapacitance between the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) andthe X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL). In addition, since the Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) included in the respective Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL) have different lengths and positions, there maybe a difference in the capacitance generated by the respective Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL).

In order to minimize the difference in the capacitance due to thelengths and positions of the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL),the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) may be arranged such thatthe portion of the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL) surrounded by theY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL) is minimized.

For example, regarding the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) Y28 included in theeighth Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-8), the eighth Y-touch electrodeconnecting line (Y-CL-8) is connected to the left end of the Y-touchelectrode (Y-TE) Y28. Thus, the length of the eighth Y-touch electrodeconnecting line (Y-CL-8) for electrically connecting the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) included in the eighth Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-8) may be minimized.

As described above, the capacitance generated between the Y-touchelectrode connecting line (Y-CL) and the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL)may be minimized by minimizing the length of the Y-touch electrodeconnecting line (Y-CL) surrounding the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL),thereby reducing the difference in the capacitance between the Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL).

However, even if the length of the Y-touch electrode connecting line(Y-CL) is minimized, since the Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL)is arranged to surround the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL) and there isa difference in the length between the Y-touch electrode connectinglines (Y-CL) included in the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL),there may be a difference in the capacitance between the Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL).

Therefore, a single-layered touch sensor structure according to theembodiments of the present disclosure provides a structure forcompensating for the difference in the capacitance between the Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL) by adjusting the areas of the Y-touch electrodes(Y-TE) or X-touch electrodes (X-TE) in consideration of the lengths ofthe Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) included in the respectiveY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL).

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating a second example of a structure of touchelectrodes (TE) in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a displaypanel (DISP) according to embodiments of the present disclosure, whereinthe areas of the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) have been adjusted.

Referring to FIG. 24, a plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) anda plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) are arranged to intersecteach other in the same layer in a single-layered touch sensor structureaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) includes a plurality ofX-touch electrodes (X-TE) and a plurality of X-touch electrodeconnecting lines (X-CL), and the plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE)are electrically connected to each other by X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL) arranged therebetween. All the X-touch electrodes (X-TE)included in the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL), except for the X-touchelectrodes (X-TE) arranged at the outermost positions, may have the samearea.

The plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) includes a plurality ofY-touch electrodes (Y-TE) and a plurality of Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL). In addition, the plurality of Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) are electrically connected to each other by theY-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) arranged to surround at leasta part of the X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL). Thus, the Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) included in the respective Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL) may have different lengths from each other.

For example, among the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) arranged in thefirst area, the first Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1) forconnecting the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) included in the first Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL-1) may be the longest, and the fourth Y-touchelectrode connecting line (Y-CL-4) for connecting the Y-touch electrodes(Y-TE) included in the fourth Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-4) may bethe shortest.

Therefore, the capacitance generated by the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE)included in the first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) may be relativelylarge due to the influence of the capacitance generated between thefirst Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1) and the X-touchelectrode lines (X-TEL). In addition, the capacitance generated by theY-touch electrodes (Y-TE) included in the fourth Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-4) may be smaller than the capacitance generated by the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) included in the first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1)because the capacitance generated between the fourth Y-touch electrodeconnecting line (Y-CL-4) and the X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) isrelatively small.

In order to compensate for the difference in the capacitance between thefirst Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) and the fourth Y-touch electrodeline (Y-TEL-4), the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) may be arranged such thatthe area of the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) included in the first Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL-1) is smaller than the area of the Y-touchelectrode (Y-TE) included in the fourth Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-4).

Likewise, the areas of the respective Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) includedin the second Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-2) and the third Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL-3) may be different from each other inconsideration of the influence of the capacitance generated by therespective Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL).

That is, the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) may be arranged such that theY-touch electrode (Y-TE) included in the first Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-1) has the smallest area and such that the areas of the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) included in the second Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-2) to the fourth Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-4) are graduallyincreased so that the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) included in the fourthY-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-4) has the largest area.

The area of the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) may be adjusted by adjustingthe size of the touch electrode (TE) or by adjusting the opening area ora ratio of dummy patterns in the touch electrode (TE) as describedabove.

As described above, it is possible to compensate for the difference inthe capacitance between the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) and toimprove the touch performance by arranging the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE)to have different areas in consideration of the influence of thecapacitance generated by the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL)included in the respective Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL).

That is, the single-layered touch sensor structure according toembodiments of the present disclosure enhances the touch performance bymeans of a structure of touch electrodes (TE) compensating for theinfluence of capacitance due to the connecting lines arranged to bypassthe touch electrodes (TE) while allowing the X-touch electrode lines(X-TEL) and the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) to be arranged in thesame layer.

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating a third example of a structure of touchelectrodes (TE) in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a displaypanel (DISP) according to embodiments of the present disclosure, whereinthe areas of the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) have been adjusted.

Referring to FIG. 25, a plurality of X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) anda plurality of Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) are arranged to intersecteach other in a single-layered touch sensor structure according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

The Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) included in each of the plurality ofY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL), except for the Y-touch electrodes(Y-TE) arranged at the outermost positions, may have the same area.

In addition, the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) included in the plurality ofX-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) may be arranged to have different areasdepending on the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) arranged adjacentthereto.

For example, the X-touch electrode (X-TE) X12, X22, X32, X42, X52, X62,or X72 arranged between the first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) andthe second Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-2) may have an area smallerthan the area of the X-touch electrode (X-TE) X13, X23, X33, X43, X53,X63, or X73 arranged between the second Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-2)and the third Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-3).

That is, the X-touch electrode (X-TE) arranged adjacent to the firstY-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) including the longest Y-touch electrodeconnecting line (Y-CL) may have an area smaller than the areas of otherX-touch electrodes (X-TE), thereby reducing the capacitance generated bythe first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1).

In addition, by reducing the capacitance generated by the first Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL-1), the difference between the same and thecapacitance generated by the remaining Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL)may be compensated for.

The area of the X-touch electrode (X-TE) may be adjusted by adjustingthe size of the X-touch electrode (X-TE) or by adjusting the openingarea or a ratio of dummy patterns in the X-touch electrode (X-TE) asdescribed above.

As described above, it is possible to compensate for the difference inthe capacitance between the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) due to thelengths and arrangements of the Y-touch electrode connecting lines(Y-CL) included in the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) by arranging theX-touch electrodes (TE) to have different areas in consideration of themagnitude of the capacitance generated by the Y-touch electrode lines(Y-TEL) arranged adjacent to the X-touch electrodes (X-TE).

Although the embodiments described above show a structure ofcompensating for the difference in the capacitance between the Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL) by adjusting the area of the X-touch electrode(X-TE) or the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE), in some cases, a structure ofcompensating for the difference in the capacitance by adjusting andarranging both the area of the X-touch electrode (X-TE) and the area ofthe Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) may be provided.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a fourth example of a structure of touchelectrodes (TE) in a single-layered touch sensor structure of a displaypanel (DISP) according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 26, the areas of the X-touch electrode (X-TE) and theY-touch electrode (Y-TE) may vary with the positions thereof in order tocompensate for the difference in the capacitance between the Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL), which is caused by the influence of thecapacitance according to the lengths and arrangements of the Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) included in the Y-touch electrodelines (Y-TEL), in a single-layered touch sensor structure according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

For example, among a plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) included inthe first X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1), the X-touch electrodes(X-TE) X12, X13, and X14 may be arranged such that the X-touch electrode(X-TE) X12 has the smallest area and the X-touch electrode (X-TE) X14has the largest area.

In addition, the area of the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) included in thefirst Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) may be smaller than the area ofthe Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) included in the second Y-touch electrodeline (Y-TEL-2), and the area of the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) included inthe second Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-2) may be smaller than the areaof the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) included in the third Y-touch electrodeline (Y-TEL-3).

That is, the areas of the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) and the X-touchelectrode (X-TE) may be adjusted to reduce the capacitance generated bythe first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) including the longest firstY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1), thereby compensating for thedifference in the capacitance between the Y-touch electrode lines(Y-TEL) due to the lengths and arrangements of the Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL) included in the Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL).

Furthermore, the touch electrodes (TE) may be arranged so as to preventthe touch sensitivity from significantly deteriorating at a specificposition due to a decrease in the area of a specific touch electrode(TE) by adjusting both the area of the X-touch electrode (X-TE) and thearea of the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE).

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel (DISP) having asingle-layered touch sensor structure, which is taken along the linesY-Y′ in FIG. 18, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.Although mesh-type touch electrodes (Y63 and Y73) are illustrated inFIG. 27, this is only an example, and a plate-type touch electrode maybe provided.

A display panel (DISP) according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure includes an encapsulation portion (ENCAP) arranged on thelight-emitting device (ED) included in each of a plurality of subpixels(SP).

The single-layered touch sensor structure is located on theencapsulation portion (ENCAP), like the multi-layered touch sensorstructure. That is, m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-12) andn Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) are arranged in thesingle layer on the encapsulation portion (ENCAP).

According to an example in FIG. 27, the X-touch electrode connectinglines (X-CL-6) included in the X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-6) of them X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-12), the Y-touch electrodes(Y73 and Y63) included in the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-3) of the nY-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6), and the Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL-1, Y-CL-2, and Y-CL-3) located therebetween maybe provided in the same layer on the encapsulation portion (ENCAP).

As described above, it is possible to reduce the number of maskprocesses, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process, and to designa thinner structure by providing a touch sensor structure in a singlelayer on the encapsulation portion (ENCAP).

In the following, the cross-section of the single-layered touch sensorstructure will be described in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 27, in the case of a display panel (DISP) having asingle-layered touch sensor structure according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the substrate (SUB) through the touch buffer film(T-BUF) may be formed in the same manner as the structure shown in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 9.

A touch insulating film (ILD) may be arranged on the touch buffer film(T-BUF) as shown in FIG. 9, or the touch insulating film (ILD) may notbe arranged on the touch buffer film (T-BUF) as shown in FIG. 27.

Referring to the example in FIG. 27, on the touch buffer film (T-BUF),two mesh-type Y-touch electrodes (Y63 and Y73) having openings, theY-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-3) for electrically connectingthe two Y-touch electrodes (Y63 and Y73), and the Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL-1 and Y-CL-2) around the same may be provided inthe same layer, and the X-touch electrode connecting line (X-CL-6) forelectrically connecting two X-touch electrodes (X63 and X64), which arepositioned between the two Y-touch electrodes (Y63 and Y73) on the planview, may also be provided in the same layer. Further, the Y-touchrouting line (Y-TL-3) connected to the Y-touch electrode (Y73) arrangedat the outermost position, among the two Y-touch electrodes (Y63 andY73), may be provided in the same layer.

As described above, all the touch sensor metals (TSM) may be located inthe same layer, thereby implementing a single-layered touch sensorstructure.

Referring to an example in FIG. 27, the Y-touch line (Y-TL-3) may bedirectly or indirectly connected to the Y-touch pad (Y-TP) by passingover the dam (DAM) along the touch buffer film (T-BUF).

Referring to FIG. 27, a touch protection film (PAC) may be formed on thelayer in which the touch sensor metal (TSM) is formed. In some cases,the touch protection film (PAC) may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 18 and FIG. 27, the m X-touch routing lines (X-TL-1 toX-TL-6 and X-TL-7 to X-TL-12) may be connected to the m outermostX-touch electrodes (X11, X21, X31, X41, X51, X61, X18, X28, X38, X48,X58, and X68), and may be electrically connected to the m X-touch pads(X-TP) located in the non-active area (NA) by passing over the side ofthe encapsulation portion (ENCAP) and the tops of one or more dams(DAM1) and (DAM2).

In addition, the n Y-touch routing lines (Y-TL-1 to Y-TL-6) may beconnected to the n outermost Y-touch electrodes (Y71, Y72, Y73, Y74,Y75, and Y76), and may be electrically connected to the n Y-touch pads(Y-TP) located in the non-active area (NA) by passing over the side ofthe encapsulation portion (ENCAP) and the tops of one or more dams (DAM1and DAM2).

Referring to FIG. 27, the encapsulation portion (ENCAP) may have amulti-layered structure including two or more inorganic encapsulationlayers (PAS1 and PAS2) and one or more organic encapsulation layers(PCL) provided between the two or more inorganic encapsulation layers(PAS1 and PAS2).

The one or more organic encapsulation layers (PCL) included in theencapsulation portion (ENCAP) may be positioned at one side of at leastone dam (DMA), or may be positioned at one side and top of at least onedam (DAM).

According to the above structure, one or more dams (DMA) may prevent theencapsulation portion (ENCAP) and the organic encapsulation layer (PCL)thereof from collapsing.

The cross-sectional view of FIG. 27 shows a conceptual structure, andthus the positions, thicknesses, or widths of the respective patterns(respective layers or respective electrodes) may vary depending on theviewing directions or positions, connection structures of the respectivepatterns may vary, other layers may be further provided in addition tothe illustrated layers, or some of the illustrated layers may be omittedor integrated. For example, the width of the bank (BANK) may be smallerthan that illustrated in the drawing, and the height of the dam (DAM)may be less or more than that illustrated in the drawing.

FIG. 28 is a view illustrating additional patterns (AP) arranged in ablank area in a display panel (DISP) having a single-layered touchsensor structure according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a view showing the area where four X-touch electrodes (X11,X12, X13 and X14) and six Y-touch electrodes (Y11, Y12, Y13, Y21, Y22,and Y23) are arranged in the single-layered touch sensor structures inFIG. 16 or the like.

Referring to FIG. 28, the four X-touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13 andX14) included in the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) may have anelectrical connection through the X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL-1).

Referring to FIG. 28, the Y-touch electrodes (Y11 and Y21) included inthe first Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1) may be electrically connectedthrough the first Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1). TheY-touch electrodes (Y12 and Y22) included in the second Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL-2) may be electrically connected through thesecond Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-2). The Y-touchelectrodes (Y13 and Y23) included in the third Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-3) may be electrically connected through the third Y-touchelectrode connecting line (Y-CL-3).

Referring to FIG. 28, the four X-touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13 andX14) included in the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) may have ablank area therearound, where no Y-touch electrode connecting line isarranged. One or more additional patterns (AP) may be arranged in theblank area.

The additional patterns (AP) may be remnants formed when other touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1, Y-CL-2, and Y-CL-3) are formed.

It is possible to improve the touch sensing performance by forming theadditional patterns (AP) in the blank area, as described above, and byapplying various voltages to the additional patterns (AP). For example,it is possible to reduce the influence of noise on the touch electrodesor to equalize the surrounding electrical environments of all touchelectrodes by driving the additional patterns (AP).

Referring to FIG. 28, the numbers of Y-touch electrode connecting linesarranged around the four X-touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13 and X14)included in the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) are differentfrom each other.

For example, no Y-touch electrode connecting line is arranged around theX-touch electrode (X11). One Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1)is arranged around the X-touch electrode (X12). Two Y-touch electrodeconnecting lines (Y-CL-1 and Y-CL-2) are arranged around the X-touchelectrode (X13). Three Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1,Y-CL-2, and Y-CL-3) are arranged around the X-touch electrode (X14).

As described above, the numbers of additional patterns (AP) arranged inthe blank area around the four X-touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13 andX14) included in the first X-touch electrode line (X-TEL-1) may bedifferent from each other depending on the different numbers of Y-touchelectrode connecting lines arranged around the four X-touch electrodes(X11, X12, X13 and X14) included in the first X-touch electrode line(X-TEL-1).

For example, three additional patterns (AP) may be arranged around theX-touch electrode (X1). Two additional patterns (AP) may be arrangedaround the X-touch electrode (X12). One additional pattern (AP) may bearranged around the X-touch electrode (X13). No additional pattern (APs)may be arranged around the X-touch electrode (X14).

Accordingly, it is possible to equalize the surrounding environments ofthe respective X-touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13 and X14).

One or more additional patterns (AP) may be in a voltage statecorresponding to a touch driving signal or a touch sensing signal, maybe in a voltage state in which a ground voltage or a specific voltage isapplied, or may be in a floating voltage state. In addition, one or moreadditional patterns (AP) may be in various electrical states forimproving the touch sensing performance.

For example, one or more additional patterns (AP) may be electricallyconnected to the Y-touch electrode connecting lines or the X-touchelectrode connecting lines arranged therearound so as to be in thevoltage state corresponding to a touch driving signal or a touch sensingsignal.

The touch sensing performance can be improved by control of theelectrical states of the additional patterns (AP). For example, it ispossible to reduce the influence of noise on the touch electrodes or toequalize the surrounding electrical environments of the respectiveX-touch electrodes by driving the additional patterns (AP).

As described above, each of the touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13, X14,Y11, Y12, Y13, Y21, Y22, and Y23) may be a mesh-type touch electrode(TE), or may be a plate-type touch electrode (TE).

In the case of a mesh-type touch electrode (TE), the respective touchelectrodes (X11, X12, X13, X14, Y11, Y12, Y13, Y21, Y22, and Y23) may bepatterned in the form of a mesh, thereby obtaining an electrode metal(EM) having two or more openings (OA).

Each of the two or more openings (OA) may correspond to a light-emittingarea of one or more subpixels (SP).

The electrode metal (EM) corresponding to each of the touch electrodes(X11, X12, X13, X14, Y11, Y12, Y13, Y21, Y22, and Y23) may be located onthe bank (BANK) that is provided in the area other than thelight-emitting area of two or more subpixels (SP).

In the case of a plate-type touch electrode, the respective touchelectrodes (X11, X12, X13, X14, Y11, Y12, Y13, Y21, Y22, and Y23) may betransparent electrodes.

In this case, each of the touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13, X14, Y11,Y12, Y13, Y21, Y22, and Y23) may be positioned on the light-emittingarea of the subpixels (SP), or may be positioned on the bank (BANK).

A plurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-3) maybe positioned on the bank (BANK) arranged in the area other than thelight-emitting area of a plurality of subpixels (SP).

A plurality of first X-touch electrode connecting lines and a pluralityof second X-touch electrode connecting lines for electrically connectingthe touch electrodes (X-TE) to each other, as well as the plurality ofY-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1 to Y-CL-3), may be positionedon the bank (BANK).

Accordingly, even if the X-touch electrode connecting lines forconnecting the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) to each other and the Y-touchelectrode connecting lines for connecting the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE)to each other are arranged in the active area (AA), they do not degradethe light-emitting performance of the display panel (DISP) because theyare positioned on the bank (BANK).

The X-touch electrode connecting lines for connecting the X-touchelectrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touch electrode connecting lines forconnecting the Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) may vary depending on the shapeof the bank (BANK).

For example, if the bank (BANK) is arranged in a sawtooth shape, theX-touch electrode connecting lines for connecting the X-touch electrodes(X-TE) and the Y-touch electrode connecting lines for connecting theY-touch electrodes (Y-TE) may also be arranged in a sawtooth shape.

As described above, the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1) forelectrically connecting a plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y11 and Y21)in the second direction may be provided in the same layer as a pluralityof X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-1) for electricallyconnecting a plurality of X-touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13, and X14)arranged in the first direction.

The Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1) for electricallyconnecting a plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y11 and Y21) arranged inthe second direction may include portions (A and E) arranged in parallelwith a plurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL-1) andportions (B, C, and D) arranged in parallel with the outlines of aplurality of X-touch electrodes (X11, X12, X13 and X14) arranged in thefirst direction.

According to the above structure, it is possible to design the touchsensor structure as a single layer and to design the touch sensorstructure having space utilization optimized on a plane.

FIGS. 29 to 31 are view illustrating examples of a transparent electrode(ITO) arranged in a touch electrode area in the display panel (DISP)according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a view showing an area where two X-touch electrodes (X-TE)and two Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) cross each other.

Each of the two X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and two Y-touch electrodes(Y-TE) illustrated in FIG. 29 is an electrode metal (EM) that ispatterned in the form of a mesh and has dummy metals (DM) therein.However, the dummy metals (DM) are omitted and the area where the dummymetals (DM) are omitted is denoted as a dummy metal area (DMA) in FIG.29.

Referring to FIG. 29, transparent electrodes (ITO) may be formed in theentire touch electrode area where the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and theY-touch electrodes (Y-TE) are arranged.

Referring to FIG. 30, the transparent electrodes (ITO) may be formedonly in the partial area in the form of an island, instead of the entiretouch electrode area where the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touchelectrodes (Y-TE) are arranged.

Referring to FIG. 31, the transparent electrodes (ITO) may be formed inthe form of a mesh along the electrode metal (EM) in the touch electrodearea where the X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and the Y-touch electrodes(Y-TE) are arranged.

That is, referring to FIGS. 29 to 31, the respective touch electrodes(X-TE and Y-TE) may have a multi-layered structure, and the transparentelectrodes (ITO) may be patterned in various forms and provided on orunder the electrode metal (EM).

Accordingly, since the effective area of the X-touch electrode (X-TE)and the Y-touch electrode (Y-TE) generating the mutual capacitance canbe increased, it is possible to change the mutual capacitance and avariation thereof, thereby improving the touch sensitivity.

FIG. 32 is a view illustrating an example of a transparent electrode(ITO) arranged in a non-active area (NA) in a display panel (DISP)according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 32, a transparent electrode (ITO) may be formed in apad area (PA) on which a touch pad (TP) is formed in the non-active area(NA) outside the active area (AA) of the display panel (DISP).

The transparent electrodes (ITO) may be arranged in the entire pad area(PA), or may be arranged on the touch pads (TP) in the pad area (PA).

The m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) included in the single-layeredtouch sensor structure described above may be driving touch electrodelines to which a touch driving signal is applied, and the n Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL) thereof may be sensing touch electrode lines inwhich a touch sensing signal is detected.

On the other hand, the n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL) may be drivingtouch electrode lines to which a touch driving signal is applied, andthe m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) may be sensing touch electrodelines in which a touch sensing signal is detected.

Thus, it is possible to sense a touch based on the mutual capacitance bydriving one of the m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) and the n Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL) and by sensing the remainder.

The touch driving signal applied to one of the m X-touch electrode line(X-TEL) and the n Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL) may be a signal with aconstant voltage level, or may be a signal with a variable voltagelevel.

If the touch driving signal has a variable voltage level, the touchdriving signal may have various waveforms such as a square wave, a sinewave, a triangular wave (chopping wave), or the like.

The touch driving signal may have a predetermined frequency.

The frequency of the touch driving signal may be constant or variable.

If the frequency of the touch driving signal is variable, the frequencyof a touch driving signal supplied to the X-touch electrode lines or theY-touch electrode lines, which correspond to the driving touch electrodelines, may be changed at random or according to a predetermined rule.

If the frequency of the touch driving signal is changed randomly, thefrequency may vary within a predetermined frequency range (e.g., 200 KHzor more).

If the frequency of the touch driving signal is changed according to apredetermined rule, as described above, the frequency may vary inconsideration of the time constant (e.g., RC delay) of signaltransmission paths including the respective driving touch electrodelines.

According to the frequency varying technique of a touch driving signal,it is possible to prevent deterioration of touch sensitivity due to thedifference in the length between the signal transmission paths, and toperform touch driving while avoiding the noise in the touch displaydevice. Hereinafter, a method of varying the frequency of the touchdriving signal according to a predetermined rule in consideration of thetime constant will be described. The length of the signal transmissionpath through which a touch driving signal (or touch sensing signal) istransmitted between the touch sensing circuit (TSC) and thecorresponding touch electrode (TE) may correspond to a sum of the lengthof the X-touch electrode line (X-TEL) and the length of the X-touchrouting line (X-TL)

One X-touch electrode line (X-TEL) includes plurality of X-touchelectrodes (X-TE) and a plurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines(X-CL) for connecting the same. Thus, the length of one X-touchelectrode line (X-TEL) may correspond to a value obtained by adding allthe lengths of the plurality of X-touch electrodes (X-TE) and theplurality of X-touch electrode connecting lines (X-CL) for connectingthe same.

Alternatively, the length of the signal transmission path through whicha touch driving signal (or touch sensing signal) is transmitted betweenthe touch sensing circuit (TSC) and the corresponding touch electrode(TE) may correspond to a sum of the length of the Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL) and the length of the Y-touch routing line (Y-TL). One Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL) includes plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE)and a plurality of Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL) forconnecting the same. Thus, the length of one Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL) may correspond to a value obtained by adding all the lengths ofthe plurality of Y-touch electrodes (Y-TE) and the plurality of Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL) for connecting the same.

The lengths of the signal transmission paths corresponding to the mX-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) may be different from each otherdepending on their positions. Accordingly, the signal transmission pathscorresponding to the m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) may havedifferent time constants from each other. The time constant may be, forexample, an RC delay (resistive-capacitive delay). The difference in thetime constant between the signal transmission paths may cause adifference in the touch sensitivity between the signal transmissionpaths, thereby lowering the touch sensing performance.

Likewise, the touch sensing performance may be degraded due to thedifference in the length between the signal transmission pathscorresponding to the n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL).

Therefore, the frequencies of touch driving signals applied to one ormore of the m X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL) may be different from eachother depending on the length of the signal transmission path for thetouch driving signal. Alternatively, the frequencies of touch drivingsignals applied to one or more of the n Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL)may be different from each other.

Accordingly, it is possible to improve the touch sensing performance bycompensating for the touch sensitivity variation due to the differencein the length between the signal transmission paths through frequencyvariation.

Now, a multi-frequency driving method in which the frequency of a touchdriving signal varies will be described.

FIGS. 33 and 34 are views for explaining a multi-frequency drivingmethod of a touch display device according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 33 is a view for explaining a multi-frequency driving method for anexample in which twelve X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-12)are driving touch electrode lines to which touch driving signals (TDS1to TDS12) are applied and six Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 toY-TEL-6) are sensing touch electrode lines where touch sensing signalsare detected.

Referring to FIG. 33, twelve X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 toX-TEL-12) include six first X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6)arranged in the first area and six second X-touch electrode lines(X-TEL-7 to X-TEL-12) arranged in the second area.

The six first X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6) arranged inthe first area and the six second X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-7 toX-TEL-12) arranged in the second area have the same or similar signaltransmission lengths.

The six first X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6) arranged inthe first area is connected to six first X-touch routing lines (X-TL-1to X-TL-6) to correspond thereto. The six second X-touch electrode lines(X-TEL-7 to X-TEL-12) arranged in the second area are connected to sixsecond X-touch routing lines (X-TL-7 to X-TL-12) to correspond thereto.

The six first X-touch routing lines (X-TL-1 to X-TL-6) have differentlengths from each other. The six second X-touch routing lines (X-TL-7 toX-TL-12) also have different lengths from each other.

Thus, the six first X-touch routing lines (X-TL-1 to X-TL-6) havedifferent time constants, such as an RC delay, from each other. The sixsecond X-touch routing lines (X-TL-7 to X-TL-12) also have differenttime constants, such as an RC delay, from each other.

With regard to the first area, among the six first X-touch routing lines(X-TL-1 to X-TL-6), the first X-touch routing line (X-TL-1) having themaximum length may have the largest time constant, and the first X-touchrouting line (X-TL-6) having the minimum length may have the smallesttime constant

Accordingly, the touch sensing circuit (TSC) may supply a touch drivingsignals (TDS1) having the lowest frequency to the first X-touch routingline (X-TL-1) having the largest time constant, and may supply a touchdriving signals (TDS6) having the highest frequency to the first X-touchrouting line (X-TL-6) having the smallest time constant, among the sixfirst X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-6).

With regard to the second area, among the six second X-touch routinglines (X-TL-7 to X-TL-12), the second X-touch routing line (X-TL-7)having the maximum length may have the largest time constant, and thesecond X-touch routing line (X-TL-12) having the minimum length may havethe smallest time constant

Accordingly, the touch sensing circuit (TSC) may supply a touch drivingsignals (TDS7) having the lowest frequency to the second X-touch routingline (X-TL-7) having the largest time constant, and may supply a touchdriving signals (TDS12) having the highest frequency to the secondX-touch routing line (X-TL-12) having the smallest time constant, amongthe six second X-touch routing lines (X-TL-7 to X-TL-12).

In other words, as the X-touch electrode line has a longer X-touchelectrode connecting line or has a longer x-touch routing line for aconnection with the touch sensing circuit (TSC) in the twelve X-touchelectrode lines (X-TEL-1 to X-TEL-12), the frequency of the touchdriving signal may be lowered. The length of the signal transmissionpath may correspond to a value obtained by adding all the lengths of theX-touch electrodes, the lengths of the X-touch electrode connectinglines, and the lengths of the x-touch routing lines.

FIG. 34 is a view for explaining a multi-frequency driving method for anexample in which six Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) aredriving touch electrode lines to which touch driving signals (TDS1 toTDS6) are applied and twelve X-touch electrode lines (X-TEL-1 toX-TEL-12) are sensing touch electrode lines where touch sensing signalsare detected.

Each of the six Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6) includesseven Y-touch electrodes and Y-touch electrode connecting lines forconnecting the same.

The Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1) for connecting sevenY-touch electrodes (Y11, Y21, Y31, Y41, Y51, Y61, and Y71) included inthe outermost Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1), among the Y-touchelectrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1, Y-CL-2, and Y-CL-3) included inthree Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1, Y-TEL-2, and Y-TEL-3) arrangedin the first area, is the longest. In addition, the Y-touch electrodeconnecting line (Y-CL-3) for connecting seven Y-touch electrodes (Y13,Y23, Y33, Y43, Y53, Y63, and Y73) included in the Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-3) closest to the second area is the shortest.

Therefore, the three Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1, Y-TEL-2, andY-TEL-3) arranged in the first area have different time constants, suchas an RC delay, from each other depending on the difference in thelength between the Y-touch electrode connecting lines (Y-CL-1, Y-CL-2,and Y-CL-3).

Similarly, the three Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-4, Y-TEL-5, andY-TEL-6) arranged in the second area have different time constants, suchas RC delay.

Among the three Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1, Y-TEL-2, and Y-TEL-3)arranged in the first area, the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-1)including the longest Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-1) mayhave the largest time constant, and the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-3)including the shortest Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-3) mayhave the smallest time constant.

Accordingly, the touch sensing circuit (TSC) may supply touch drivingsignal (TDS1) having the lowest frequency to the Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-1) having the largest time constant, and may supply a touchdriving signal (TDS3) having the highest frequency to the Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL-3) having the smallest time constant, among thethree Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-1, Y-TEL-2, and Y-TEL-3) arrangedin the first area.

Among the three Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-4, Y-TEL-5, and Y-TEL-6)arranged in the second area, the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-6)including the longest Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-6) mayhave the largest time constant, and the Y-touch electrode line (Y-TEL-4)including the shortest Y-touch electrode connecting line (Y-CL-4) mayhave the smallest time constant.

Accordingly, the touch sensing circuit (TSC) may supply a touch drivingsignal (TDS6) having the lowest frequency to the Y-touch electrode line(Y-TEL-6) having the largest time constant, and may supply a touchdriving signal (TDS4) having the highest frequency to the Y-touchelectrode line (Y-TEL-4) having the smallest time constant, among thethree Y-touch electrode lines (Y-TEL-4, Y-TEL-5, and Y-TEL-6) arrangedin the second area.

In other words, as the Y-touch electrode line has a longer Y-touchelectrode connecting line or has a longer Y-touch routing line for aconnection with the touch sensing circuit (TSC) in the six Y-touchelectrode lines (Y-TEL-1 to Y-TEL-6), the frequency of the touch drivingsignal may be lowered. The length of the signal transmission path maycorrespond to a value obtained by adding all the lengths of the Y-touchelectrodes, the lengths of the Y-touch electrode connecting lines, andthe lengths of the Y-touch routing lines.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 35, a touch sensing method according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure may include a step (S3510) of supplying a touchdriving signal to a plurality of driving touch electrodes by a touchsensing circuit (TSC), a step (S3520) of detecting a touch sensingsignal from a plurality of sensing touch electrodes by the touch sensingcircuit (TSC), and a step (S3530) of sensing whether or not a touch isperformed or the touch position on the basis of the touch sensing signalby the touch sensing circuit (TSC).

The length of the path through which the touch driving signal istransmitted from the touch sensing circuit (TSC) to the first drivingtouch electrode of the plurality of driving touch electrodes may bedifferent from the length of the path through which the touch drivingsignal is transmitted from the touch sensing circuit (TSC) to the seconddriving touch electrode of the plurality of driving touch electrodes.

The touch driving signal supplied to the first driving touch electrodeand the touch driving signal supplied to the second driving touchelectrode may have different frequencies.

If the path through which the touch driving signal is transmitted fromthe touch sensing circuit (TSC) to the first driving touch electrode ofthe plurality of driving touch electrodes is longer than the paththrough which the touch driving signal is transmitted from the touchsensing circuit (TSC) to the second driving touch electrode of theplurality of driving touch electrodes, the touch driving signal suppliedto the first driving touch electrode may have a lower frequency thanthat of the touch driving signal supplied to the second driving touchelectrode.

The path through which the touch driving signal is transmitted to thefirst driving touch electrode (e.g., Y71) may be longer than the paththrough which the touch driving signal is transmitted to the seconddriving touch electrode (e.g., Y72). In this case, the touch drivingsignal supplied to the first driving touch electrode (e.g., Y71) mayhave a lower frequency than that of the touch driving signal supplied tothe second driving touch electrode (e.g., Y72).

The touch driving signal supplied to the first driving touch electrode(e.g., Y71) may be applied to another first driving touch electrode(e.g., Y61) through the first driving touch electrode connecting line(Y-CL-1) by surrounding and bypassing the sensing touch electrodes(e.g., X62, X63, and X64).

The touch driving signal supplied to the second driving touch electrode(e.g., Y72) may be applied to another second driving touch electrode(e.g., Y62) through the second driving touch electrode connecting line(Y-CL-2) by surrounding and bypassing the sensing touch electrodes(e.g., X63 and X64).

As described above, it is possible to prevent deterioration of touchsensitivity due to the difference in the length between the signaltransmission paths according to a single-layered touch sensor structureusing a multi-frequency driving method in which the frequency of a touchdriving signal varies.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above,it is possible to provide a touch display device having a touch sensorstructure that enables a simple manufacturing process, a highmanufacturing yield, and a low manufacturing cost, and a touch sensingmethod thereof.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto provide a touch display device having a single-layered touch sensorstructure and a touch sensing method thereof.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto provide a touch display device having a touch sensor structurecapable of reducing the number of mask processes and a touch sensingmethod thereof.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto provide a touch display device having a touch sensor structurecapable of reducing the number of touch pads and a touch sensing methodthereof.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto provide a touch display device and a touch sensing method capable ofpreventing deterioration of touch sensitivity even if there is thedifference in the length between the signal transmission paths in atouch sensor structure.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto provide a touch display device and a touch sensing method capable ofmaintaining touch sensitivity uniformly even if there is a difference inthe pattern for connecting the touch electrodes in a touch sensorstructure.

The above description and the accompanying drawings merely show theexamples of the technical concept of the present disclosure, and thus itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modificationsand variations can be made without departing from the essential subjectmatter of the present disclosure by means of combination, separation,replacement, and alteration of the elements in the present disclosure.Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure areintended to explain the technical concept of the present disclosure,instead of limiting the scope of the same, and thus the scope of thepresent disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. The scope ofprotection of the present disclosure should be construed according tothe following claims, and all technical ideas within the range ofequivalents should be construed as falling within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch display device comprising: a displaypanel having a plurality of subpixels arranged therein and having aplurality of touch electrodes arranged therein; and a touch sensingcircuit configured to drive the plurality of touch electrodes, whereinthe plurality of touch electrodes constitute m X-touch electrode linesand n Y-touch electrode lines arranged to intersect each other, whereinrespective m X-touch electrode lines comprise a plurality of X-touchelectrodes, and the plurality of X-touch electrodes are electricallyconnected to each other by X-touch electrode connecting lines arrangedbetween adjacent X-touch electrodes, wherein respective n Y-touchelectrode lines comprise a plurality of Y-touch electrodes, and theplurality of Y-touch electrodes are electrically connected to each otherby Y-touch electrode connecting lines arranged to surround at least apart of the X-touch electrode line, and wherein an area of the Y-touchelectrode included in a first Y-touch electrode line is different froman area of the Y-touch electrode included in a second Y-touch electrodeline.
 2. The touch display device of claim 1, wherein a Y-touchelectrode connecting line configured to electrically connecting twoadjacent Y-touch electrodes in the first Y-touch electrode line islonger than a Y-touch electrode connecting line configured toelectrically connecting two adjacent Y-touch electrodes in the secondY-touch electrode line, and wherein the area of the Y-touch electrodeincluded in the first Y-touch electrode line is smaller than the area ofthe Y-touch electrode included in the second Y-touch electrode line. 3.The touch display device of claim 2, wherein the area of a Y-touchelectrode included in a third Y-touch electrode line is larger than thearea of the Y-touch electrode included in the second Y-touch electrodeline, and wherein the area of the X-touch electrode arranged between thefirst Y-touch electrode line and the second Y-touch electrode line,among the plurality of X-touch electrodes included in the X-touchelectrode lines, is smaller than the area of the X-touch electrodearranged between the second Y-touch electrode line and the third Y-touchelectrode line.
 4. The touch display device of claim 1, wherein an areaof one of the plurality of X-touch electrodes included in the X-touchelectrode line is different from areas of remaining X-touch electrodes.5. The touch display device of claim 1, wherein a ratio of dummypatterns included in one of the plurality of X-touch electrodes includedin the X-touch electrode line is different from ratios of dummy patternsincluded in remaining X-touch electrodes.
 6. The touch display device ofclaim 1, wherein a ratio of dummy patterns included in the Y-touchelectrode included in the first Y-touch electrode line is different froma ratio of dummy patterns included in the Y-touch electrode included inthe second Y-touch electrode line.
 7. The touch display device of claim1, wherein the Y-touch electrode connecting lines configured toelectrically connect the plurality of Y-touch electrodes included in theY-touch electrode line make a detour in a same direction.
 8. The touchdisplay device of claim 1, further comprising one or more additionalpatterns arranged in an area between the X-touch electrodes and theY-touch electrodes and arranged along a shape of at least one of theX-touch electrodes, the Y-touch electrodes, the X-touch electrodeconnecting lines, and the Y-touch electrode connecting lines.
 9. Thetouch display device of claim 8, wherein the one or more additionalpatterns are in a voltage state corresponding to a signal applied to theX-touch electrode line or the Y-touch electrode line, in a voltage statein which a ground voltage or a specific voltage is applied, or in afloating voltage state.
 10. The touch display device of claim 8, whereinthe one or more additional patterns are electrically connected to theX-touch electrode connecting lines or the Y-touch electrode connectinglines.
 11. The touch display device of claim 1, wherein the touchsensing circuit outputs, to one of the m X-touch electrode lines, asignal having a frequency different from frequencies of signals outputto remaining X-touch electrode lines, or wherein the touch sensingcircuit outputs, to one of the n Y-touch electrode lines, a signalhaving a frequency different from frequencies of signals output toremaining Y-touch electrode lines.
 12. The touch display device of claim1, wherein the display panel comprises a first area and a second area,and wherein the X-touch electrode line arranged in the first area andthe X-touch electrode line arranged in the second area are insulatedfrom each other, and the Y-touch electrode line arranged in the firstarea and the Y-touch electrode line arranged in the second area areinsulated from each other.
 13. The touch display device of claim 1,wherein the display panel further comprises an encapsulation portionarranged on a light-emitting device included in each of the plurality ofsubpixels, and wherein the X-touch electrode lines and the Y-touchelectrode lines are arranged in a same layer on the encapsulationportion.
 14. A touch display panel comprising: a plurality of X-touchelectrodes; a plurality of Y-touch electrodes; a plurality of X-touchelectrode connecting lines configured to electrically connect two ormore X-touch electrodes arranged in a same X-line, among the pluralityof X-touch electrodes; and a plurality of Y-touch electrode connectinglines configured to electrically connect two or more Y-touch electrodesarranged in the a Y-line, among the plurality of Y-touch electrodes,wherein the X-touch electrode connecting line is arranged between twoadjacent X-touch electrodes, wherein the Y-touch electrode connectingline is arranged to surround at least a part of the adjacent X-touchelectrodes and X-touch electrode connecting line, and wherein theplurality of X-touch electrodes and the plurality of Y-touch electrodeshave at least one of a structure in which two or more X-touch electrodesarranged in the same X-line have different areas, respectively, and astructure in which two or more Y-touch electrodes arranged in the sameX-line have different areas, respectively.
 15. The touch display panelof claim 14, wherein as a length of the Y-touch electrode connectingline connected to the Y-touch electrode increases, an area of theY-touch electrode is reduced.
 16. The touch display panel of claim 14,wherein as a number of Y-touch electrode connecting lines adjacent tothe X-touch electrode is reduced, an area of the X-touch electrode isreduced.
 17. A touch display device comprising: a display panel having aplurality of subpixels arranged therein and having a plurality of touchelectrodes arranged therein; and a touch sensing circuit configured todrive the plurality of touch electrodes, wherein the plurality of touchelectrodes constitute m X-touch electrode lines and n Y-touch electrodelines arranged to intersect each other, wherein respective m X-touchelectrode lines comprise a plurality of X-touch electrodes, and theplurality of X-touch electrodes are electrically connected to each otherby X-touch electrode connecting lines arranged between adjacent X-touchelectrodes, wherein respective n Y-touch electrode lines comprise aplurality of Y-touch electrodes, and the plurality of Y-touch electrodesare electrically connected to each other by Y-touch electrode connectinglines arranged to surround at least a part of the X-touch electrodeline, and wherein an area of one of the plurality of X-touch electrodesincluded the X-touch electrode line is different from areas of remainingX-touch electrodes.
 18. The touch display device of claim 17, wherein asa number of Y-touch electrode connecting lines arranged adjacent to theX-touch electrode is reduced, an area of each of plurality of theX-touch electrodes included in the X-touch electrode line is reduced.